VIE 12-06-18

Front Page

Dec. 6, 2018

Tree Lighting Ceremony kicks off holiday season
An estimated 400 people turned out to kick off the Christmas season with a tree lighting and caroling at Veterans Plaza next to the LW Library on Nov. 30
The towering tree provided a festive backdrop for Santa and his elves, who posed with LWers—and their guests, grandchildren and the occasional pet pooch among them—for holiday photos.
OptumCare, the new manager of the Health Care Center, had its elves there to hand out cookies and cocoa to a steady line of Leisure Worlders.
Dr. Rudy Haider, recently returned to the HCC, greeted old friends and former patients.
From the stage GRF President Linda Stone and GRF Recreation Committee Chairwoman Leah Perrotti welcomed everyone to Veterans Plaza, a new venue for the tree lighting ceremony this year.
People were comfortably seated, sipping cocoa and eating holiday cookies, as they were entertained by the Long Beach Community Band, enthusiastically directed by Greg Flores.
Musicians played peppy holiday classics, such as “Jingle Bells” and “White Christmas.”
The Theater Club screened a short film called “The Elf Who Saved Christmas” from 4- 4:30 p.m. and club elves circulated, helping Santa and posing for pictures.
The film, a take-off on “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” will be reshown on SBTV this month. See the schedule on page 13.
Just after dark, the switch was flipped, and hundreds of lights illuminated the Christmas tree to cheers and applause.
If the mood of the crowd was any indication, it marked the start of a warm, festive and merry season.

Coyote sightings are up
Coyote sightings have been on the rise in Leisure World, with several reports a week being called in to Security. Residents are also sharing information on social media and on the website Nextdoor.com.
People are talking about missing and injured cats and tracking coyote movement through LW mutuals.
On Nov. 23, a Leisure World resident reported seeing a coyote attack a cat on Merion Way near Building 52, according to Security reports. The coyote dropped the cat after the witness yelled and waved her arms. She reported the cat was alive after the coyote dropped it. Leisure World Security dispatched a patrol unit at 8:48 a.m., but was unable to locate the injured cat, the report said.
Other sightings include:
• Rev. Cornelis Kors of Mutual 2 reports seeing a good-sized coyote on Nov. 23 at about 8 a.m. along St. Andrews Drive. He took a photo of the animal on his iPhone.
• On Nov. 23, Nancy Ray, the GRF Stock Transfer manager, reported that her daughter saw a coyote at Bldg. 134 in Mutual 6 at about 6:20 a.m. The coyote was westbound on the sidewalk in front of building 134 and ran away without incident.
•Heather Myers of Mutual 17 called The News Office to say that her daughter was taking the dog out for a morning walk when she spotted a large coyote lurking under the stairwell of condos in Mutual 17 early Nov. 30. She made noise the the coyote walked away and waited next to a wall. “They are all over the place,” said Myers. “We just want to warn other people.” Since Nov. 20, Myers’ daughter has seen coyotes three times.
• Nancy Garrett of Mutual 6 reported seeing a coyote walk across Westminster Avenue in front her car on Nov. 27 at 7:40 a.m. It crossed the street from canal drainage ditch just outside LW by Haynes power plant to go to drainage ditch on south side. “It just strolled across the street, looked like a young female,” she posted on Facebook.
• Larry Lowman of Mutual 14 saw a full-grown male coyote at 7:15 a.m. on Nov. 28 crossing from Mutual 15 to Mutual 14 on Del Monte Road. “I was in my golf cart and tracked the animal into Mutual 14,” he posted, saying he watched it chase rabbits to no avail. “On the way, I warned a few people who were out walking their dogs.”
There is no question that coyotes are here to stay, so people need to learn how to manage them and protect their pets, according to the experts.
Seeing a coyote walking down a busy street is not as uncommon as most would think. Contrary to popular belief, coyotes do not require open space to survive and have successfully adapted to living in proximity to humans, according to Long Beach Animal Care Services, which contracts with the City of Seal Beach to handle animal control.
Long Beach animal control officers do not respond to calls for service for normal coyote behavior, such as sightings, but these calls are recorded and documented. Officers do respond to calls involving a sick or injured coyote, or if there is a public safety issue; for instance, a coyote is threatening people or lingering in an area frequented by people, such as a yard, park, playground, school, etc.
Coyote activity should be reported online at http://www.longbeach.gov/acs/wildlife/coyote-report/. Animal-related emergencies should be reported immediately by calling 570-PETS (7387). If there is an immediate threat to a human, call 911.
To ward off coyotes, don’t leave pet food outside.
– Don’t leave edible garbage accessible. Use a small amount of ammonia or cayenne pepper in the garbage to discourage scavenging, the Humane Society advises.
– Restrict use of birdseed. Predators are attracted to the birds and rodents that use feeders.
– If possible, eliminate outdoor sources of water.
– Trim and clear near ground-level any shrubbery that provides cover for predators or prey.
– Pick fruit as soon as it ripens, and keep rotten fruit off the ground.
– Keep cats and small dogs indoors, allowing them outside only under strict supervision.
Trapping and relocation of coyotes is not a recommended or viable alternative. Wild animals are territorial and similar species will simply take over the area vacated by the relocated or dead animal, according to the Humane Society.
The nighttime howling of wild coyotes is ever-more common across America—they are now found in every state but Hawaii. The best way to protect your pets is to let them outside only when you are with them, especially at night. Stay close to your pet when taking them outdoors and always keep them on a leash, especially from dusk through early morning hours.

CRTA lunch is Dec. 7
The California Retired Teachers Association luncheon will be held Friday, Dec. 7, in Clubhouse 2 at noon.
Reservations are required. The entrance fee is $15, which covers lunch and program, and can be paid at the door. To make reservations, call Sue Grimsley at 431-3083. Payment is required unless cancellations were made by Dec. 5. The luncheon will be catered by Jay’s Catering Co. A dinner of ham, au gratin potatoes, fresh vegetables, rolls and a dessert will be served.
Tatjana, a singer and dancer originally from Yugoslavia, will entertain. She comes highly recommended by another CalRTA division.

Free fall prevention class offered
Have you turned down a chance to go out with family or friends, or cut down on a favorite activity because you are afraid you might fall? If so, “A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls” is the program for you.
Fear of falling can be just as dangerous as falling itself. People who develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in severe physical weakness, making the risk of falling even greater. Many older adults also experience increased isolation and depression when they limit their interactions with family and friends.
A Matter of Balance is a fall prevention program with an exercise component.
It is available to people who have fallen or have a fear of falling. This no-cost workshop emphasizes practical strategies to manage falls. It also teaches exercises that increase muscle strength, flexibility and balance.
The class can help people improve their quality of life and remain independent.
Classes meet two hours a week for eight weeks with two trained facilitators in a group setting. The workshop teaches participants to view falls as controllable, set goals for increasing activity and make changes to reduce fall risks at home.
It is sponsored by Orange County Office on Aging.
Recent participants gave high ratings to the workshop:
• “Loved the class! Sorry to see it end.”
• “I do more walking and exercise and recommend it to my family and friends.”
• “I feel stronger.”
• “I am more assertive in asking for help when I need it.”
• “Look forward to discussing problems and solutions with instructors and other students.”
• “I will do the recommended exercises because of this class.”
A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls begins on Tuesdays, Jan. 8-Feb. 26, from 9:30-11:30 a.m or 1-3 p.m.
You must register to attend, there is no more wait list. Limited spots are available. Register early.
Call Cynthia Tostado, GRF Member Resource and Assistance Liaison, at 431-6586, ext. 317, to register or for more information.

OC assessing needs of seniors
The Office on Aging is working with the Orange County Aging Services Collaborative (OCASC) to conduct a needs assessment of older adults residing in Orange County.
The focus of this assessment is to evaluate issues and perceived needs of older adults.
The 2017 needs assessment, respondent’s top three concerns were:
1. Socialization (54 percent)
2. Financial Assistance (43 percent)
3. Transportation (40 percent)
The Office on Aging is asking Orange County seniors to complete a 10-minute needs assessment survey to identify new and current needs within the community.
The survey can be found online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2018ocascsln.
The survey is completely anonymous; however, people who want additional personalized assistance can leave contact information at the end of the survey or they can call the Office on Aging at (714) 480-6450 or (800) 510-2020.
With your help, the Office on Aging will continue to employ collaborative partnerships and innovative programming to maximize limited resources and improve the older adult service delivery system in Orange County.

CAP lunch is Dec. 6
Children-A-Priority will hold its annual holiday luncheon today, Dec. 6, at 11:45 a.m. in Clubhouse 4.
Bring guests to enjoy the fun of gathering and giving Toys for Tots/Teens to the families of veterans and deployed troops.
People can bring donations of new, unwrapped gifts between 11:30-11:45 a.m. if possible.
In addition, the group invites guests interested in its mission of helping local disadvantaged children to the lunch, which will be served at noon for $10.
Guest speakers will be Monica Arredondo, retired Army, and Cara Born, who volunteer at the Family Assistance Center at the Joint Forces Training Base.
In the spirit of the season, CAP members look forward to a full house with Leisure World’s customary enthusiasm and good will.
For more information, call Rosemarie Brannon, (714) 345-5314, or Maria Swift, 493-1924.
All Leisure World residents are welcome.

American Legion Auxiliary
The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 327 will host the annual holiday luncheon on Monday, Dec. 17, at noon in Clubhouse 4.
All members of the Post and the Sons along with their guests are invited to attend.
This year the group will have a catered luncheon.
Tickets are $15 per person and must be purchased in advance by calling Eloise Knoll at 533-0773 or Rosa Carillo at 430-2472.
The deadline for purchasing tickets is Monday, Dec. 10.
The next District 29 meeting will be held on Saturday, Dec. 8, in Placentia.
A carpool will leave President Jean Sudbeck’s parking lot at 8 a.m.
Anyone who wants to attend should call Jean at 594-0209.
Any member who has not received her new membership card should contact Roberta Lane at 594-5809.

American Legion New Year’s Dinner
The American Legion Post 327 will host a New Year’s Eve dinner catered by Naples Rib Company.
The dinner will be held at 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 at Clubhouse 3, Room 2.
Tickets are $25 per person, and the popular evening, open to all Post and Auxiliary members, and Sons members and their guests, is a sell-out every year.
Tickets are limited so reserve early by calling or texting Lee Esslinger at (310) 491-8990.

LW to close for shelving installation
The Leisure World Library will be closed on Dec. 12 and 13 to install new shelving to expand space
The library will reopen Friday, Dec. 14, with regular service hours, according to Vanessa Morris, GRF library operations supervisor.

LW pets must be registered at Stock Transfer
by Nancy Ray
Stock Transfer Supervisor

Pet Registration in
Stock Transfer
Per Pet Policy 7501, Article II, your pet must be registered with the Stock Transfer Office before it is brought onto the Mutual premises. Further, the pet registration and licensing must be updated on or before Dec. 31 of each year. Mutual Pet Registration Forms can be picked up at the Stock Transfer Office. To complete the registration, you will need to include the following:
• Requirements for dogs: City of Seal Beach Pet License, proof of spay or neuter, proof of dog’s inoculations, proof of liability insurance, and proof of dog’s weight.
• Requirements for cats: Proof of spay or neuter, and proof of liability insurance.
If you are renewing a currently-registered pet in the Stock Transfer Office, you do not need to complete a new form, but you do need to provide current liability insurance documents and, for dogs only, a current City of Seal Beach Pet License.
If you have questions about registering your pet, call Stock Transfer at (562) 431-6586, ext. 339, 346 or 347.
Pet Licensing with
City of Seal Beach
Note: The City of Seal Beach contracts with the City of Long Beach Animal Care Services for animal control and licensing purposes.
To purchase a City of Seal Beach Pet License, you will need to provide the following:
• History of prior licenses; a permanent license tag is issued when a license is first purchased.
• Your name, address, and phone number.
• A current rabies inoculation certificate, good for the entire licensing period.
• A Certificate of Sterility if your pet has been spayed or neutered (altered). This will reduce your dog license fee. The certificate must be shown at time of purchase to receive the reduced rate.
• Microchip information (if applicable).
• Pet license fee.
There are several ways to purchase your City of Seal Beach pet license:
• In person at the Long Beach Bureau of Animal Care Services located at 7700 E. Spring St.
• Online at http://www.longbeach.gov/acs/pet-laws-and-licensing/licensing/
• By mail; send copies (this paperwork will not be returned so do not send originals) of the above information along with the pet license application to the Animal Care Services Bureau at 7700 E. Spring Street, Long Beach, CA 90815, along with a check or money order for the proper amount.
The license will be processed, and a license tag will be mailed to you.
City of Seal Beach Pet License Fees:
• Dog Altered: $30
• Dog Altered – Senior Resident: $15
• Replacement Tag: $10
If you have questions about pet licenses, call City of Long Beach Animal Care Services at (562) 570-8247 or email them at animalcare@longbeach.gov.

Watch Your Step
Tech Support Scams
It’s a scam often reported by LW residents, but it bears repeating with so much online traffic during the holiday season.
Scam artists use the phone to try to break into computers. They call, claiming to be computer techs associated with well-known companies like Microsoft. They say that they’ve detected viruses or other malware on your computer to trick you into giving them remote access or paying for software you don’t need.
These scammers take advantage of your reasonable concerns about viruses and other threats. Once they’ve gained your trust, they may ask you to give them remote access to your computer and then make changes to your settings that could leave your computer vulnerable or trick you into installing malware that could steal sensitive data, like user names and passwords.
—Federal Trade Commission

LW Investment Forum
The Leisure World Investment Forum meets Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 6. The final presentation of 2018 will include a brief market update/recap and a summary of the key events driving the markets that are likely to impact performance going into the New Year. All are welcome for December’s presentation; questions and comments are encouraged.
For over 30 years, the Investment Forum has been committed to informing and educating Leisure World residents by presenting monthly discussions on timely and important financial topics and current economic trends. Presentations are hosted by Larry Pino, CTFA, partner and private wealth advisor.

Perspectives
Ways to ward off holiday blues
As we venture into this holiday season, we would like to take a moment to remind you that the holidays are not always a joyous time for everybody. Older adults are especially vulnerable to pre- and post-holiday blues, especially if they are isolated from friends and family. Along with isolation may be ill-health, which can exacerbate feelings of depression that arise around the holidays. The holidays tend to bring up feelings of loss and loneliness for a spouse or close friends who have passed. If this is the first holiday season without your loved one, then that pain can surface easily.
Some suggestions to ward off the holiday blues are:
• Go out or invite others in — Make plans and reach out to others. Plan to attend events and socialize. Invite others in just for a simple gathering.
• If you know someone who may be lonely reach out — Let them know you are thinking of them. Invite them out for warm beverage, stop by for a visit, even a phone call or a text message can let them know they aren’t alone.
• Volunteer — Helping others is a great mood lifter. There are many opportunities to get involved right in your own community.
• Accept your feelings — There’s nothing wrong with not feeling jolly; many people get the blues during the holidays. The blues are usually temporary and mild; depression is more serious and can linger unless you get help.
• Confide in someone — Talk about your feelings. It can help you understand the why you feel the way you do.
Don’t forget all the opportunities that you have right in your own backyard. Go for a walk, participate in an exercise class or other social activity. The LW Library is a great place to see a smiling face and interact with our friendly staff. The library’s reading room has comfy chairs where you can grab a newspaper, book or magazine and read away to your heart’s content.
The Member Resource Liaison’s office is a safe space with a listening ear.
If we all work together and give it our best effort, we can make this a holiday season for everybody to enjoy. Happy Holidays!
Taylor Greene
GRF Library
Cynthia Tostado, LCSW
GRF Mutual Administration

GRF SAFETY COLUMN
Keeping holiday fires away
by Eloy Gomez
GRF Safety & Emergency Coordinator

December is here… it’s now time to get out the Christmas decorations to decorate your home. Test the decorative lights and dust off the decorations but let’s review a couple of home Christmas tree fire statistics from the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) before you start decorating to make these holidays safe and enjoyable. According to the NFPA the leading cause of Christmas tree fires are faulty decorative lights, faulty or overloaded cords or plugs, heating equipment or candles too close to combustibles. So be mindful and take precautions when putting up lights or a Christmas tree in your home. What might seem like the simple action of decorating your home may comes with potential risks.
A Christmas tree can pose a serious fire hazard if you don’t know how to take care of it. If you decide to purchase a live tree make sure to choose one with moist green needles. Most importantly, please make sure the tree has water in its base every single day. Dry trees are highly flammable. Always make sure that the tree (fresh or artificial) is at least three feet away from any heat source.
Holiday lights are made to be used either indoors or outdoors but not both. Here are a few tips to look out for when decorating with lights.
• Always use lights that are underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved.
• Invest in LED lights that produce very little heat, are cool to the touch and consume less energy.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use tree lights. Do not use strings of lights with worn, frayed or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
• Never connect more than three strands of push-in bulbs and a maximum of 50 screw-in bulbs.
• Always unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving the home or before going to bed.
• Keep children and pets away from the tree, electrical decorations and live candles.
Heaters and kitchen fires are also a factor for December home fires so don’t leave cooking food unattended and keep all combustibles away from the stove or oven. Portable heaters are only a temporary source of heat to keep a room or a home warm, but please do not leave them on for hours at a time and most important never use your stove top or oven as a home heating source.
The Golden Rain Foundation wants everyone to have a safe and joyous holiday season with or without a live Christmas tree, but most of all we want you and your family to have a fire-free holiday season.

Letter to the Editor
Editor:
The Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce Thanksgiving Dinner at St. Anne’s Church was terrific. I had fun posing with the Seal Beach beauty queens. Everything was well organized. The kind volunteer driver with a good sense of humor, the elegant table decorations, the lovely live musical entertainment, the enthusiastic young and adult volunteers, Bingo game and delicious turkey and ham with all the trimmings enhanced the festive atmosphere. Everyone had a great time.
I deeply appreciate and am grateful for the dynamic volunteers and donors who made this bountiful blessed event a success.
Lisa A. Dickson
Mutual 1

LW Weekly Policy
Submissions in each of the following categories may be published at the discretion of the Publications Manager.
Letters to the Editor: Maximum number of words: 250. Letters should be typed and delivered to the Golden Rain News by email (preferred), regular mail, deposited in a white GRF drop box, or hand-delivered. Letters must be of general interest to the community and may contain opinions, sug gestions, compliments, and complaints without being scurrilous, libelous, defamatory, repetitive or otherwise inappropriate. The names of individual employees, titles and/or departments will not be permitted in letters that could adversely impact any Foundation employee directly or indirectly.
Member Column: At a maximum 500 words, columns may present an argument or opinion or information about pending issues of concern to the community. Priority to first-time or less frequent writers. Some names will be left out to protect privacy.
Contributor: Restaurant review, theater review or travel journal submissions welcome subject to terms and conditions in the policy unless otherwise noted.
Political: Submissions concerning political issues outside of Leisure World and the City of Seal Beach will not be published.

Government
LW DEMOCRATIC CLUB
‘Lunch Bunch’ program is popular for conversation
A spirited group of friendly Seal Beach Leisure World Democratic Club members met last week at Denny’s for the popular “Lunch Bunch” program. Participating in “Lunch Bunch” gives members a chance to get to know each other in an informal setting. Conversations are free-flowing and not necessarily political. The next “Lunch Bunch” will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 26, at 11 a.m. at Denny’s. Call Dale Lieberfarb, 594-1119, for information or to make a reservation.
The SBLW Democratic Club will once again participate in the Orange County Women’s March. The club is currently accepting reservations for a bus to the March on Saturday, Jan. 19. The bus has been chartered as a service to the community with the suggested donation set at $20 per person. As in the past, scholarships for club members are available upon request. Call Clara Wise, (909) 957-9886, for information or to reserve a spot.
Interested in joining the SBLW Democratic Club? Go to the website sblwdems.wordpress.com/; call Membership Chair Rachael Lehmberg at 340-9816; email lwsbdemocraticclub@gmail.com; or attend the next club membership meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 16, at noon in Clubhouse 4.

AMENITIES/RECREATIONAL
Return questionnaires by Dec. 14

The Trust Property Amenities/Recreational Use Questionnaire on page 7 of the Nov. 29 issue of LW Weekly should be returned to the LW Weekly office, or drop them in a white GRF mailbox located throughout the community. All questionnaires should be returned by Dec. 14. Copies can be picked up at the LW Weekly office, Monday-Friday, between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

GRF Board of Directors Meetings

Golden Rain Foundation committee and board meetings are open to Leisure World residents. Conference Room B is located downstairs in Building 5. The Administration Conference Room is upstairs in the Administration Building. The following is a tentative schedule of meetings on the Golden Rain Foundation master calendar, maintained by Administration:

Wednesday, Dec. 12 Security, Bus and Traffic Committee
Administration canceled
Thursday, Dec. 13 Communications Committee
Administration 1 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 14 Executive Committee
Administration 1 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 17 Finance Committee
Administration 9 a.m.
Monday, Dec. 17 Mutual Administration Committee
Conference Room B 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 18 GRF Board of Directors
Clubhouse 4 10 a.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 18 Information Technology Committee
Administration 1 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 20 GRF Board Executive Session
Administration 1 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 21 GRF/Mutual Roundtable
Administration canceled
Monday, Dec. 24 Management Services Review Ad Hoc
Administration canceled
Thursday, Dec. 27 Service Maintenance Committee
Administration canceled
Friday, Dec. 28 Facilities and Amenities Review Ad Hoc
Administration canceled
Schedule of Mutual Meetings

Mutual meetings are listed below. Mutual residents are invited to attend the open meetings of their mutual boards as follows:

Thursday, Dec. 6 Presidents’ Council
Clubhouse 4 9 a.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 11 Mutual 8
Conference Room B 9 a.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 12 Mutual 4
Administration 9:15 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 14 Mutual 3
Administration 9 a.m.
Monday, Dec. 17 Mutual 15
Administration 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 18 Mutual 14
Conference Room B 1 p.m.
Wednesday Dec. 19 Mutual 5
Conference Room B 9 a.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 19 Mutual 7
Administration 1 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 27 Mutual 1
Administration 9 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 28 Mutual 6
Administration 9:30 a.m.

Mutuals 2, 9, 11, 12 and 16 have canceled meetings in December. The GRF/Mutual Roundtable is also canceled in December.

Holiday Carport Schedule

The holiday carport cleaning schedule for 2018 is as follows:
Christmas Day
Tuesday, Dec. 25
Mutual 10, Carports 117-120, 122-124, will be cleaned Friday,
Dec. 21.
New Year’s Day
Thursday, Jan. 1, 2019
Carports will be cleaned as usual on New Year’s Day.

Replace expired decals at CH 5

Expiring resident decals are replaced in the satellite Security Office, downstairs in Clubhouse 5. Bring a resident ID card, valid driver’s license, current car registration and insurance card when applying.
Decals are issued 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Saturday, unless the weather is damp.

Religion

VIEWPOINT
Finding inner peace for holidays
by Jim Greer
LW Interfaith Council

Going into the holiday season, I think we all feel a sense of fatigue. Not just because of the stress of shopping, but in dealing daily with the seemingly never-ending violence and political turmoil. It seems as though the words of Longfellow sum up our current feelings, “There is no peace on earth, I said. For hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men.”
Prophets and philosophers have offered advice for each of us to help find our inner peace. People of faith recognize that it is our relationship with God that assists us in our search. For others, there are psychologists and life coaches who can help. One of the most straightforward and practical recommendations comes from Robert Puff, Ph.D., in the Oct. 30, 2017, edition of “Psychology Today.” In his article titled “How to Find Inner Peace,” Dr. Puff recommends that each of us, “Be in nature.”
By being in nature, Dr. Puff is saying we should get into an environment that fosters stillness and silence. It could be any place where you can look at the sky, listen to birds, hear the wind blow, watch trees sway and observe sunrises and sunsets. And to make it even more personal, he suggests we bring nature indoors with plants and flowers that calm us.
Dr. Puff states, “The mental commentary that seems to go on and on without end is not our natural state. It is something we learned to do early on, and it often makes no sense, has nothing to do with what’s occurring in the present, and we have little control over it.”
He recommends we make a daily practice of taking a five-minute walk each day and disconnect from our electronic devices. During that time we should observe the leaves on trees, small animals and even listen to the sound of our footsteps. At lunchtime, he recommends eating outside, in silence. Again, keeping our electronic devices quiet and avoiding talking to others during our brief commune with nature, quietly observing the food we’re eating.
Dr. Puff also recommends undertaking regular retreats. These days away give us a chance to separate ourselves from the human-made world and feel the serenity of the mountains, the ocean, or by participating in organized meditative events.
It is also recommended that we avoid reading during these retreats and short daily breaks to encourage stillness and being one with nature. As John Muir stated, “One day’s exposure to mountains is better than a cart-load of books.”
While walking hundreds of miles along the John Muir trail, I came to know what he meant. Those days of my youth in the Sierras brought me to a level of peace that modern teenagers cannot replicate online or in virtual reality. You cannot reproduce the experience or feel the peace that God intended through artificial means.
Each of us continues our journey to find peace in this life, and increase our hope for peace in the next. In doing so, we continue to hold fast to Longfellow’s conclusion of Christmas Bells wherein he affirms; “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

ASSEMBLY OF GOD
Activities abound during Christmas holiday season
The Christmas season is here and it definitely applies to services and activities at the Assembly of God.
Pastor Sam Pawlak’s second message in the Christmas series, for Sunday, is “The Angels and Factory Workers of Christmas.” The morning service is held in Clubhouse 3, Room 2, at 10:30 a.m. and begins with a prelude of Christmas music by the organ, accordion and piano. Denise Smith will lead the congregational singing with Diana Mushagian bringing news for the congregation and directing the time of offering.
The first prayer meeting of the day is at 10 a.m., preceding the morning worship service and then a prayer meeting is a 5:15 p.m. precedes the hymn sing.
At this week’s hymn sing, held in the Clubhouse 3 Lobby at 6 p.m., Assoc. Pastor Dan Ballinger will lead the songs chosen by the congregation. Special music will be brought by Carol Darnell and her daughter, Valerie Buterbaugh. They are a delightful duo, with Carol accompanying on the guitar as they sing new words to familiar tunes centered on the Christmas theme. Pastor Sam will close with a devotion and the evening concludes with a warm time of fellowship around the tables.
On Wednesday, Dec. 12, a Bible study starts at 10 a.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 7. Pastor Sam will lead it from the book of Colossians. A special Christmas luncheon at Mimi’s Restaurant will follow at 11:30 a.m. for those who have purchased tickets. Diana Mushagian and her team of helpers is planning a special program, and those coming are encouraged to bring a white elephant gift.
A program, featuring Tim and Susan Larson, talented musicians, is planned at the Hymn Sing on Dec. 16.

Halls of First Christian Church are decked out for Christmas
The First Christian Church family recently gathered together for fun, food and frolic as they decorated the chapel for Christmas. Eggnog, hot cocoa and doughnuts were served to the merry and hard working crew, and Pastor Gene lent great style to his reindeer antlers.
The Saturday evening service begins at 5:15 p.m. with the Hospitality Room opening at 4:30 p.m.
Sunday morning begins with Elder Jack Frost teaching Bible study at 9 a.m. in the book of Exodus. At 9:30 a.m. the Hospitality Room opens for fellowship and light refreshments with Carol Speake and Sue Kaminski hosting.
Pastor Bruce Humes begins the worship service at 10:15 a.m. with praise, prayer, and scripture, followed by Margaret Humes leading the congregation in these hymns of worship, “Blessed Assurance,” “Standing On The Promises” and “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” The communion hymn will be “Glory To His Name.”
The church choir, under the direction of Anita Ragole, will sing “Birthday of a King.” Pastor Phil O’Malley will present the communion meditation and service. For the offertory, the Pastor Bruce and Margaret will sing, “Mary’s Boy Child.”
Pastor Cherryholmes will sing, “Adeste Fideles” followed by Pam O’Malley who will read scripture from the Book of Colossians, 1:16-18.
Pastor Cherryholmes’ message for today will be “Ministry of Christ,” based on Colossians 1:16-18. God promised us help for today and eternal safety for tomorrow, and he made good that promise through his son Jesus Christ.
Service times are Saturday at 5:15 p.m. and Sunday at 10:15 a.m. Prayer and verse-by-verse Bible studies during the week are held on Tuesdays with Pastor Humes and on Thursdays with Pastor Cherryholmes both beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Thursday evening Bible study with Pastor Phil O’Malley has been suspended until further notice.
Hearing enhancements are available at all church functions. Call the church office at 431-8810 for further information. Leave a recorded message and someone will get back as quickly as possible.

CHRISTIAN WOMEN’S
Fellowship group meets on Dec. 10
The Christian Women’s Fellowship Bible study group will meet on Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 6. This is the only meeting in December.
All residents are welcome. For more information, call Margie Singleton, 594-8100, or Connie Lee, 296-8185.

REDEEMER LUTHERAN
Annual Christmas Bazaar is Dec. 12
The Rev. Lisa Rotchford will be the guest preacher at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Sunday. Directing the ushers will be Maria Swift. The choir will sing “There’s a Voice in the Wilderness.”
The Sunday service, which includes the dedication of food gifts for those in need in Orange County, begins at 10:30 a.m. and is followed by a coffee hour in the fellowship hall.
The Wednesday morning Bible class led by Pastor Lynda Elmer is studying the Book of Ezekiel. Everyone is welcome to this class which begins at 10:30 a.m. and concludes at 11:30 a.m.
The annual Christmas Bazaar is this Wednesday, Dec. 12, in the fellowship hall from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Handmade items are a feature of the bazaar, including Pastor Gil Moore’s photo note cards, other items by congregation members, friends, and the major display of imported items from Thailand.
The second of the Advent Soup Supper Devotions will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 3 p.m. in the fellowship hall. The event features a catered soup supper, singing and a monologue presentation. Everyone is welcome.
The Respite Center meets on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 596-1209 for information about registration and volunteering.
Website for the congregation is available at www.redeemerlutheransealbeach.com.

Faith Christian
Pastor Paul Vaughn will minister
Paul Vaughn, Pastor Gwyn and Ginny Vaughn’s son, will minister at Faith Christian Assembly on Sunday, Dec. 9, at the 10:30 a.m. service.
Since October 2011, Vaughn has been the senior pastor of La Bonne Nouvelle, a French-speaking church in Tahiti. La Bonne Nouvelle’s youth and children’s ministries are thriving. The congregation is looking forward to hearing about Paul’s experiences. Come and be blessed by his speaking ministry, which is done with a good dose of humor. Paul will also be ministering in music. Invite a friends.
Tuesday is Faith Fellowship Time at 11 a.m. in the Garden Room.; Midweek Bible Study is taught by Pastor Sheri Lemmingon Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the Garden Room.
To receive a free newsletter and for more information on the church, call 598-9010 or visit our website at www.FCAchurch.net.

LW HOME LEAGUE
LW Baptist Choir performs Dec. 10
The Leisure World Baptist Church Choir will provide the program for the Salvation Army Home League on Monday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. in Clubhouse 4. The musical selections will include Christmas hymns, with some fun back-story to the songs, to bring them even more to life.
The evening will include door prizes, refreshments, and a musical trivia game for everyone to enjoy.

ROCK CHURCH
Messages can be listened to online
The Rock Church, Seal Beach campus welcomes everyone to weekly service for all ages at Marine Center, 151 Marina Drive, Seal Beach
Sunday services 10 a.m. in English and 1:45 p.m. in Spanish. Sunday’s message can be heard for free at www.gototherock.com. Select Seal Beach Campus and check the podcast.
For more information, call (714) 562-8233.

LW BAPTIST CHURCH
Sunday service will feature several Christmas hymns
The Leisure World Baptist Church will resound with hymns of Christmas. All are welcome to Clubhouse 4, Sunday, Dec. 9. Sunday School begins at 8:40 a.m. until 9:10, at which time all are invited to visit over a cup of coffee and a nosh at the round table.
Morning service opens with all singing the Call to Worship; “Let Us Worship and Adore Him”
Soloist Connie Lee will sing a Christmas favorite.
The choir will sing a Christmas hymn written by John Jacob Niles, who was inspired by Southern Appalachian Folklore; “I Wonder as I Wander”
Congregation songs include; “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “While Shepherds Watched.”
Offertory selection will be by pianist Yvonne Leon.
Pastor Rolland Coburn’s message from the book of Joshua, Chapter 21: 43-45, is titled “Rest on Every Side”
The closing hymn will be “Hear Christ Calling Come Unto Me.”
The prayer room attended by members of the church family is open following the service.
Following the service all are invited to stay and wish Juanita Montgomery a happy 100th birthday; a light lunch and cake will be served by her family.
On Monday, Dec. 10, the Women’s Christian Fellowship Bible study  meets at 10 a.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 6.
On Monday evening at 7 the choir will sing for the Salvation Army. On Wednesday,  Dec. 12 the Energizers will meet in Clubhouse 4, Room A, at 3 p.m.
For information, call 430-2920.

ST. THERESE
Card party today
The monthly card party of St. Therese will be held today, Dec. 6, in Clubhouse 2 at noon. Various games are played.
Everyone is welcome to attend. Cost is $1 per person and refreshments will be served.

LW COMMUNITY CHURCH
Concert by LBSU conservatory students will be presented Dec. 15
Community Church will partner with the Bob Cole Conservatory of Long Beach State University for a concert on Saturday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. in the stain-glass shrouded sanctuary. The concert will feature 11 talented music students from the University String Quartet and the University Wind Quintet. Music from Haydyn, Bizet, Brodin, Rimsky-Korskov and Ravel will be played. Tickets, $10, are available at the church office during the week or on Sunday mornings after worship in Edgar Hall.
Are you or one of your neighbors alone and feeling “blue” this Christmas season? For many, it is a season of loneliness and loss. For some, it is the first Christmas without a precious loved one, for others it may be strained relationships, financial hardship, declining health or loss of independence among other challenges. Community Church is offering a “Blue Christmas” service on Thursday, Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. in the Fireside Room. This will be an opportunity to be in community with others who are carrying heavy burdens this Christmas season. This service is free and open to all.
On Sunday, Dec. 9, Pastor Johan Dodge will present the morning message titled, “Untangled.” The Scripture lesson is Luke 1:68-79. Serving as lay liturgist on Dec. 9 will be Virginia Olejnik. Worship services are at 9:50 a.m., followed by coffee and refreshments in Edgar Hall.

Health and Fitness

LW Health Classes and Clubs
Yoga
Classes are offered Tuesdays at 10 a.m. in the Clubhouse 4 Lobby,
Thursdays at 10 a.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 1; and Saturdays, 10 a.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 2. The fee is $5 per session.
For more information, call Connie Adkins at 506-5063.
Yoga, Meditation, Tai Chi
Classes are offered from 9:30-11 a.m. on Saturdays upstairs in Clubhouse 6. Paul Pridanonda teaches students to free the mind and spirit using laughter and slow and steady flow of tai chi movements.
For more information, call 430-7143.
Beginning Yoga
Classes are offered from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays in Clubhouse 3, Room 6, and at the same time on Fridays in Clubhouse 3, Room 7. Bring mats. The fee is $5 a class. For more information, call Patti Endly at 430-7291.
Monday Intermediate Yoga
Classes are offered each week from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Clubhouse 4, Section C; fee: $5 per session. For more information, call Pat Castaneda at 225-0273.
Pilates
Chair classes meet from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursdays upstairs in Clubhouse 6. The cost is $5 a class. Instruction includes seated and standing exercises. Mat classes meet Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Clubhouse 6, Room C. Those who attend should bring a mat. All other equipment will be provided.For additional information, call Susan Hopewell, 430-6044, or Linda Neer, 430-3214.
Ageless Grace
The eight-week chair-based exercise program, which addresses 21 specific aging factors, has weekly classes at 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, upstairs in Clubhouse 6. The exercises are practiced in a chair; $5 per session; $30 for all eight sessions. For more information, call Carol Costello at 596-3927.
Feeling Good Exercise
Move to the music from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Mondays in Clubhouse 1, with Sarah Grusmark and Thursdays with Katie Sellards. The fee is $3 a class. People of all fitness levels are welcome. For more information, call Cathleen Walters at 598-9149.
Stick, Qigong, Tai Chi Club
Stick exercises, qigong and tai chi chih classes are held from 9:15-11 a.m. on Tuesdays in Clubhouse 3, Room 1. For more information, call Joann Mullens at 596-3936.
Movement for Health and Self-Healing Medical Qigong Club
Qigong practice sessions classes are held from 9-10 a.m. on Thursdays in Clubhouse 3, Room 2. The session is led by Dave Heilig, QiGong practitoner. For more information, call Catherine Milliot at 760-4545.
Fitness Fusion Upper/Lower Body Strength and Yoga
Classes are offered from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Clubhouse 6, top floor. Attendance both days is not necessary. The fee is $4 a class when paying by the month, or $5 for those who do not attend on a regular basis. The trainer leads warm-ups, light weight-lifting and standing yoga poses for improved balance. For more information, call Marion Higgins at 296-8328.
Chair Exercise
Classes are offered from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays in Clubhouse 1. Classes are for men and women at all fitness levels. For more information, call 493-7063.

Laughter program at HCC
Bev Bender brings her laughter program to the Health Care Center on Wednesday, Dec.12, at 1:30 p.m. All are welcome. Bev is a gerontologist and certified laugh leader. For more information, call 594-9148.

OptumCare welcomes back Dr. Smith to HCC
Nancy Smith, M.D., has returned to the Health Care Center as part of OptumCare. Board certified in family medicine, Dr. Smith provided care for Leisure World residents for almost 20 years prior to joining OptumCare a year ago. She continued to see many of her patients at the OptumCare Medical Group office located in Seal Beach Village.
OptumCare accepts all major health plans, including traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage, AARP and commercial plans. Dr. Smith said she is delighted to be returning to the Health Care Center.
“As a longtime Seal Beach resident, I’ve dedicated my medical practice to serving the needs of our residents,” she said. “It’s exciting to be adding a second office location to serve the amazing Leisure World community that I know and love.”
As a way of re-introducing Dr. Smith to the Leisure World community, we recently asked her the following “getting to know you” questions.
Are you a California native?
Dr. Smith: I have lived in Seal Beach for 25 years, but I am originally from the Midwest. I went to college in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and then I went to both medical school and law school in a combined program in Champaign, Illinois.
What brought you to California?
Dr. Smith: One cold February, back when I was a starving graduate student, I was invited to interview at a law firm in Los Angeles. I joined that firm and was a labor litigator for six years, but I eventually decided to return to being a doctor.
How did you wind up at Leisure World?
Dr. Smith: I was living in Seal Beach and teaching medicine at USC. The focus of my practice was women’s and children’s health, so I was delivering a lot of babies. Then my own children came along, and being gone at all hours of the night became impractical. I have been here ever since, and I have never regretted that choice.
What do you like best about Leisure World?
Dr. Smith: I love it because some of the most generous and interesting people live here.
What is your philosophy as a doctor?
Dr. Smith: My main goal as a doctor is to try to help people stay in their own homes and live as independently as possible—for as long as possible.
As an OptumCare provider, Dr. Smith has more time to answer your questions, too. To make an appointment with her at the Health Care Center, call 493-9581.

Wa-Rite Club
Wa-Rite members did not meet last week, making it a big challenge for losing any kind of weight, given people’s tendency to splurge when there’s no weigh-in or club meeting. But there were a few who overcame temptation, including Judi Hileman, who had a 6-pound loss in the two-week interim. She was crowned “Top Loser of the Week.” When asked how she did it, she said, “It was due to worry over losing two iPads.” Worry causes stress and though stress sometimes triggers overeating, it did the opposite for Judi. She also had a lot of company and did more socializing than eating. Judi has learned to eat smaller portions, something people need to learn to do to moderate their weight.
It was share day at Wa-Rite, so the group got to hear each individual’s story. Members relate with each struggle and victory, and see that it can be done. Every pound lost is applauded. Members also expressed gratitude to be living in such a safe place, and being part of a club that supports the journey to better health.
“Food for Thought” for the week was: What you eat and how much you eat can affect how you look and how you feel!
Wa-Rite is a support group for women who need to lose 10 pounds or more. Members meet on Fridays in Clubhouse 3, Room 1, from 9-10 a.m. Weigh-ins are from 7:45-8:45 a.m. Annual dues are $10. To join or visit a meeting, call Diana Goins at 760-1293.

Meals on Wheels Long Beach
Meals on Wheels of Long Beach, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community service organization that delivers a variety of freshly prepared meals to homebound and active Leisure World shareholders. The discounted daily fee is $8.25 for a complete hot dinner and lunch consisting of a large salad or sandwich with a small side salad, dessert and carton of low-fat milk. Meals with a “friendly visit” are delivered weekdays between between 10:30 a.m-12:30 p.m.
To start a new client application online at www.mowlb.org or call Caron Adler at 433-0232.
Monday, Dec. 10: Seasoned beef picado, mushroom and barley rice, seasoned bell peppers and onions, chocolate cake, ham and cheese deli sandwich with spinach, tomato and creamy coleslaw.
Tuesday, Dec. 11: Vegetarian frittata, oven-browned potatoes, lemon pepper broccoli, vanilla swirl pudding, Greek salad with chicken, tomato, olives, cucumber, feta cheese, vinaigrette and crackers.
Wednesday, Dec. 12: Baked chicken breast with mushroom sauce, mashed sweet potatoes, green peas, yogurt with sliced peaches and strawberries, tuna salad sandwich with lettuce and tomato, cucumber, onion and dill salad.
Thursday, Dec. 13: Meatloaf with gravy, garlic and chive mashed potatoes, zucchini and tomatoes, ambrosia salad, turkey and cheese sandwich with lettuce, tomato and pickle, and three-bean salad.
Friday, Dec. 14: Barbecue chicken leg and thigh, baked sweet potato, cauliflower with lemon pepper, fresh banana, Chinese chicken salad with Mandarin oranges, red cabbage, carrots, onion, Asian dressing and crackers.

Senior Meals
Seal Beach Community Services, in cooperation with Community Senior Serv, offers a weekly hot meals program at the North Seal Beach Community Center, 3333 St. Cloud Dr. The center is open from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday-Friday. Lunch is served weekdays at 11:15 a.m. Arrive by 11 a.m. to check in at the front desk; reservations not needed. Sugar-free desserts, including water packed fruits for diabetics, are available upon request. One-percent milk served. Suggested donation: $3 for seniors 60 and older; $5 for all others. For more information, call 430-6079.
Monday, Dec. 10: Moroccan lentil soup with crackers, veggie egg salad, cucumber black-eyed pea salad, dinner roll, no-sugar-added ice cream, apricots.
Tuesday, Dec. 11: Beef fajita and vegetables, pinto beans, torilla, salsa, fresh fruit.
Wednesday, Dec. 12: Herb-roasted pork with gravy, cilantro rice, diced carrots, orange pineapple juice, diet and regular cake.
Thursday, Dec. 13: Split pea soup, crackers, salmon boat with pesto sauce, quinoa pilar, mixed vegetables, pineapple chunks.
Friday, Dec. 14: Holiday Celebration—Chicken Cordon Bleu, mashed potatoes, green salad, dressing, chef cut vegetables, Parker House roll, strawberry cheesecake, melon.

Arts and Leisure
LW Dance Classes and Clubs
The following is a partial list of dance classes and clubs available in Leisure World:
•A Time to Dance Club by Joseph: Ballroom dance group lessons are held the second and fourth Thursdays in Clubhouse 3, Room 2. Fox trot is taught from 6:30-7:30 p.m.; tango, 7:30-8:30 p.m.; $5 per session. Singles and couple are welcome. For information, call (559) 403-8974.
•Ballet: A one-hour class is held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays in Clubhouse 6, second floor. No experience is necessary. Men and women, including beginners, are welcome. Classes, $3, are taught by Mel Lockett. For more information, call Lynn R. Heath, 296-5588.
•Dance Club: Ballroom and social dance classes are held on Wednesdays in Clubhouse 6, Room C. Beginning/intermediate rumba is taught from 7:15-8:15 p.m. and intermediate rumba is taught from 8:15-9:15 p.m. The cost is $6 per class or $10 for both classes. Singles and couples are welcome. Dancers rotate. For information, call dance instructor Jeremy Pierson, 999-1269.
Tap dance classes are held on Thursdays in the Theater Club studio. Beginner tap dance class is from 8:30-9:30 a.m.; advanced, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Joyce Basch instructs. All levels are welcome; no experience is necessary; $5 per class. For more information, contact Basch, 598-1988 or joycebasch@verizon.net. Write “tap” in the subject line.
•Dancing Feet Club: Ballroom and line dancing are held in Clubhouse 2 on the fourth Sunday of the month from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Doors open at 6. Admission is free. Guests may bring drinks and snacks. The club holds free line dance lessons and practices in Clubhouse 6 on Thursdays from 7-9 p.m., and on the first, third and fifth Sundays from 4:30-6 p.m. For more information, call Ed Bolos at (551) 998-4223.
•Flowering Step Line Dance: Free classes are held at 10 a.m. on Mondays and the third Tuesday of the month in Clubhouse 2. Young-Ah Ko is the instructor. For more information, call (310) 658-0379 or 296-8068.
•Fun Exercise Line Dance Club: Intermediate line dance meets from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays in Clubhouse 6, Room C; membership, $10 a year. For information, call Suzanne Ahn, 810-1614.
•Grapevine Line Dance: Free line dance classes for all levels on Thursdays from 3-5 p.m., Clubhouse 6, Room C; more advanced dancers attend the Friday class (taught at a faster pace) from 1-3 p.m. in the lobby of Clubhouse 3. Newcomers need general knowledge of line dance and basic dance steps. For more information, inquire in classes.
•Hui O Hula: Beginners meet on Mondays from 10-11:15 a.m., upstairs in Clubhouse 6, followed by an intermediate and advanced class. The Tuesday class starts at 1:15 p.m. upstairs in Clubhouse 6. All levels are welcome. For more information, call 252-9676 or email jojo@huiohula.com.
•Joyful Line Dance Club: Get exercise and learn line dances from 2:30-4:30 p.m., Wednesdays, in the lobby of Clubhouse 3. Beginners dance from 2:30-3 p.m.; intermediates, 3-4:30 p.m. Members dance to popular favorites at the beginning and learn newer dances in the last hour. Takako Mitchell is the instructor. For more information, call Anna Derby, 301-5339.
•Leisure Time Dancers: Texas Two Step and Latin Cha Cha will be taught on Mondays in Clubhouse 6. The two-step, a casual, easy country dance, starts at 2 p.m.; and the upbeat Latin cha cha, at 3 p.m. Singles and couples are welcome; dancers rotate. Cost is $6 for one hour; $10 for two hours. For more information, call instructor Richard Sharrard at 434-6334.
•Leisure World Cloggers: Classes suspended through December. In January, classes resume as follows: advanced and intermediate students meet at 8:30 a.m. and beginners at 10:30 a.m., Wednesdays, on the Amphitheater stage. For more information, call 598-9974.
•Leisure Whirlers Square and Round Dance Club: The club hosts themed dances with a potluck on the first Friday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in Clubhouse 4. Singles and couples are welcome. Cost is $7 per person. For more information, call Lenore Velky at 237-2682.
•Saturday Morning Dance Club: American tango is taught from 9-10 a.m.; the Hustle, from 10-11 a.m., Saturdays, in Clubhouse 1; Candi Davis; instructor; dancers rotate. Sessions are $5.
•Velvetones Jazz Club Dance: The big band plays dance music at 6 p.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month in Clubhouse 4.
•Zumba Club: Stef Sullivan teaches the class with dance steps inspired by salsa, merengue, cha-cha, raggaeton, Cumbia, Bollywood, jazz, hip-hop and disco. Classes, $3, are held at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays, 8:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, 5 p.m. on Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. on Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Classes are held in Clubhouse 6, except the Thursday class, which meets in Clubhouse 3.

GRF Weekly Dance
The Golden Rain Foundation sponsors a weekly dance on Saturdays from 7-10 p.m. in Clubhouse 1. One for the Road, a rock and roll band, will play on Dec. 8. The GRF Recreation Department asks residents and their guests to adhere to the following rules:
• Do not park on the east side of Clubhouse 1. Parking for the clubhouse is across Golden Rain Road at the golf course or on Burning Tree Lane.
• People must be out of the clubhouse no later than 10 p.m. to permit adequate time for the custodian to prepare the space for the following day.
• Only the bands can make announcements from the stage.
• Clubhouse lighting and audio-visual equipment can only be adjusted by the custodian according to the instructions they have been given
• Everyone should sign in, either as a resident or guest. This is the only way GRF can judge the popularity of bands.

GRF Movie
“Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors,” a made-for-TV movie, will be shown at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9, in Clubhouse 4. Dolly Parton’s (Alyvia Alyn Lind) father (Ricky Schroder) tries to raise enough money to buy his wife (Jennifer Nettles) a wedding ring.
The drama, released in 2016, is a true story by Dolly Parton about a challenging family Christmas when she learned about the true spirit of giving.

Leisure Whirlers plan dances
The Leisure Whirlers square and round dance club will have a party from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, in Clubhouse 4. The theme will be “Christmas.” There will be music, dancing and a finger food potluck. Pre-rounds are from 6:30-7p.m. Square and round dances will be alternated from 7-9 p.m., followed by a potluck and socializing.
Singles and couples are welcome. There will be a singles rotation so everyone can dance. Cost is $7 per person. For more information, call Lenore Velky at 237-2682.
Square dance classes are held weekly on Mondays from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Experienced dancers are welcome to help support the student dancers. The class is held at the Garden Grove Women’s Club, 9501 Chapman Ave. in Garden Grove. For more information, call Mel Branham at (714) 803-0250.
A New Year’s Eve dinner and dance party will be held on Monday, Dec. 31, from 5-9:30 p.m. in Clubhouse 1.
There will be music, dancing and a buffet dinner. Doors open at 5 p.m. for socializing. The dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Tickets, $12, are on sale. For more information, call 237-2682.

Community Karaoke
The Leisure Whirlers square and round dance club will have a party from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, in Clubhouse 4. The theme will be “Christmas.” There will be music, dancing and a finger food potluck. Pre-rounds are from 6:30-7p.m. Square and round dances will be alternated from 7-9 p.m., followed by a potluck and socializing.
Singles and couples are welcome. There will be a singles rotation so everyone can dance. Cost is $7 per person. For more information, call Lenore Velky at 237-2682.
Square dance classes are held weekly on Mondays from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Experienced dancers are welcome to help support the student dancers. The class is held at the Garden Grove Women’s Club, 9501 Chapman Ave. in Garden Grove. For more information, call Mel Branham at (714) 803-0250.
A New Year’s Eve dinner and dance party will be held on Monday, Dec. 31, from 5-9:30 p.m. in Clubhouse 1.
There will be music, dancing and a buffet dinner. Doors open at 5 p.m. for socializing. The dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Tickets, $12, are on sale. For more information, call 237-2682.

Lapidary Club lunch is Dec. 10
The Lapidary Club invites members and their guests to a holiday luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 10 in Clubhouse 4, Room A.
Cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-member guests.
Chicken, biscuits, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, vegetables, a piece of pie, and coffee and tea will be served.
A general meeting will follow to thank outgoing officers and elect a new slate. A raffle of members’ creations will also be held.
Sign-up sheets will be available in the Lapidary Room in Cubhouse 4.  Make your pie selection when you sign up.

Opera Club on hiatus
The Opera Club will be on hiatus in December.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, Jan 8. Everyone is invited to come at 1:30 p.m. to Clubhouse 3, Room 1, to watch the “Pagliacci,” starring popular tenor Jonas Kaufmann. Club member Sylvan Von Burg will introduce the opera. For more information, contact Beverly Emus, Opera Club president, at 296-5586 or bemus@socal.rr.com.

LB Auxiliary of LA Phil
Celebrate the LA Philharmonic’s centennial year, and experience the fun and joy of music with fellow music lovers.
Join the Long Beach Auxiliary of the LA Phil on its chartered bus to eight Friday matinee concerts at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. For $18 round trip, people can board the bus at Leisure World at 8:50 a.m. The bus also stops at the Target parking lot in the Los Altos Shopping Center on Bellflower Boulevard at 9:15 a.m.
Concert tickets (senior rates available) can be purchased from the Philharmonic ticket office by calling (323) 850-2000.
Remaining concert dates are Dec. 7, March 1, April 5 and 19, and May 10 and 31.
Contact Laurie Gilmore, (949) 584-6267 or gilmore21@earthlink.net for bus service information and reservations.

Ad Hoc Chorus
The Ad Hoc Chorus meets at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays in the lobby of Clubhouse 3 for one hour. All are welcome to come and sing the old “Hit Parade” favorites, show tunes and some humorous novelty ditties. Helene Onu is the song leader and piano accompaniment is provided by Barbara McIlhaney. Everyone has an opportunity to try their hand at being a song leader. You do not have to be able to read music. Song sheets are supplied.
For more information, call Chuck Burnett at 493-0176.

Gingerbread House Contest judged Dec. 20
As the holiday season approaches, the Leisure World Library will host its second annual Gingerbread House Contest from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20. Gingerbread houses will be on display, and everybody is welcome to stop by and vote for their favorites.
People who are interested in entering gingerbread houses in the contest should come by the library to pick up complete contest rules. Entries need to be submitted with forms to library staff by Dec. 17.
Even if you don’t want to directly participate, everyone is invited to stop by Veterans Plaza (next to the Library) on Dec. 20 to check out all the great creations. The library will also provide refreshments and a giant gingerbread house diorama perfect for photo opportunities. For more information, call the library at 598-2431 or inquire on your next visit.

Garden Club hosts holiday lunch
Tickets are on sale for the Leisure World Garden Club’s annual Christmas luncheon to be held Monday, Dec. 17, at 11:30 a.m. in Clubhouse 2.
A festive meal provided by Howell’s Catering will include chicken, scalloped potatoes and green beans with cheesecake for dessert.
The clubhouse will be decorated for the season, and holiday attire is encouraged.
There will be door prizes and opportunity drawings for many gorgeous gift baskets filled with a vast array of delightful items.
Tickets at $20 each are available from Gail Levitt at 596-1346.

Glass Fusion Class
The Lapidary and Jewelry Club will hold a class in Introduction to Glass Fusion for Jewelry to be held on Wednesday, Dec. 12, from 9 a.m.-noon in Clubhouse 4. The class is a great opportunity to make gifts for last-minute Christmas giving.
The cost is $10 per student and covers all supplies, including materials and tools. Students make small items, usually less than two-by-two-and-a-half inches, which can be completed in one session. The popular classes are limited to six students in each session, so participants are encouraged to sign up soon in the Lapidary Room in Clubhouse 4.

LW Cloggers
The Leisure World Cloggers will not have classes in December.  Everyone is welcome back on Jan. 2. For more information, call 598-9974.

Naples Rib Co Dinner Service
Naples Rib Company will bring dinner service to Clubhouse 1 on Monday, Dec. 17.
Finbars Italian Kitchen will be on hiatus in December.
For Naples reservations, contact the restaurant directly by phone at 439-7427or via the website at http://www.ribcompany.com/leisure-world-menu.asp.
Reservations are required and must be received before noon on the Mondays of service.
Those who book through the website will receive a special treat.
Patrons are encouraged to come any time between 4-6 p.m. to avoid long lines; the dining room is open until 7 p.m.
DEC. 17 MENU
Dinners include a mini loaf of cornbread with honeybutter, extra barbecue sauce, coleslaw and barbecued beans (tax included).
DINNER SELECTIONS
Prime Rib (8 oz), $20
5 Rib Bones, $16
Tri Tip (6 oz), $16
1/2 Chicken, $15
Pasta Primavera, $13
COMBO MEALS
Ribs and 1/4 Chicken, $18
Ribs and Tri Tip, $20
(5 Bones and 6 oz Tri Tip)
1/4 Chicken and Tri Tip (6 oz), $18
EXTRAS
Add one Louisana hot sausage, $2
Add bottled water or a can of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, $1.50

LW Orchestra to host holiday concert
The Leisure World Orchestra will present a Christmas concert Saturday, Dec. 15, at noon in Clubhouse 4. The concert is earlier than last year due to scheduling conflicts; so be there at noon to hear the whole presentation. Admission is free. There will be treats afterward and a time to socialize with members of the orchestra.
The concert will cover a wide range of seasonal favorites from Leroy Anderson to Humperdinck and Handel to Berlin. Visit several European countries from Finland to Germany.
Former musicians are invited to come join the fun. The orchestra meets Mondays and Wednesdays afternoons in the Amphitheater. Call or text Fred Reker at (615) 898-0669 for more information.

St. Hedwig offers Christmas dinner to those who will be alone
St. Hedwig Parish in Los Alamitos will host a Christmas Legacy Dinner at 1 p.m. on Christmas Day. For over 35 years, this Christmas dinner has brought joy to those who are alone on Christmas day, and enabled them to experience the newfound friendships of the “cheerful givers” of St. Hedwig Parish.
The free dinner will feature festive Christmas music and decorations prepared by parish members and the children of St. Hedwig School. Transportation of Leisure World residents from the front gate to the event is available upon request.
For more information or to RSVP for the dinner, contact Ed or Dewey Foster at 598-7060. St. Hedwig Catholic Church is located at 11482 Los Alamitos Blvd. in Los Alamitos.

LW Poetry
This poetry feature showcase original poems by members of the Creative Writers Club of Leisure World and other GRF members. The club’s Poetry Workshop meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 9. The Fiction/Nonfiction Group meets on the fourth Friday at 1:30 p.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 1.
Autumn Leaves
As autumn finally shows its face we say goodbye to the heat
We gladly feel the cool winds start to whip along the street
The air gets crisp and somehow smells a little fresher too
While summer flowers start to fade mornings show the dew

The colors of fall bring feelings of a warm Indian summer day
When the leaves turn red, gold and orange they chase the blues away
Their lives somehow bring joy while they are casting across the sphere
For many their shapes and colors bring to life a festive atmosphere

Though the leaves can bring work of raking to put into piles
Jumping into the heaps of colors bring about many smiles
We spread our arms and twirl in the wind to lift our spirits high
And reap the joy that heaven sends as we watch the time go by

There are those who change with the seasons allowing life to start anew
A mighty strength becomes the core of inner feelings making their debut
The changing leaves of life bring on autumns’ refreshing fragrance of love
We find we are renewed with a spirit that sends us soaring like a dove

So let the autumn leaves drift about as fall winds carry them off
We enjoy the crispness of the air and wrap ourselves in a warm cloth
Our grateful hearts drink in the colors of gold, brown and shades of red
As we steady ourselves and prepare for the winter storms ahead
—Nancy Maggio, Mutual 3

SBTV-Channel 3 Listings
SBTV-3 airs on TWC-Spectrum Channel 3, Frontier Fios Channel 37 and online streaming at sbtv3.org/schedule. Thursday, Dec. 6
4 pm Celebration of Life—
Keith Baque
4:55 pm Veteran’s Day Celebration
6 pm FALW Fun Karaoke Christmas
7 pm Studio Cafe
8 pm Christmas Story by Joe Osuna
8:10 pm Acapella Holiday SBTV-3
8:30 pm Hank Barto Holiday Concert
9:50 pm Studio Cafe
10 pm Days of Old Long Gone By
10:05 pm Shakespeare in the Park
Friday, Dec. 7
4 pm The Elf Who Save Christmas
4:30 pm Halloween Pumpkin Carving
5:20 pm Tommy Williams Sings
5:30 pm Christmas Music with
Fortunato Revilla
5:40 pm Acapella Holiday SBTV-3
6 pm Christmas Harmonica
with Rob Roy
6:30 pm Christmas Story by Joe Osuna
6:40 pm Acapella Holiday SBTV-3
7 pm Shakespeare in the Park
9 pm Bob Cole Conservancy
10 pm Cerritos Center
Saturday, Dec. 8
4 pm Rockin’ Chairs
6 pm LW Video Producers Club
Christmas Party
6:32 pm Bula Brothers Dec 2018
7 pm Studio Cafe
8 pm Pageant of the Arts 2018
9:10 pm Halloween Pumpkin Carving
10 pm Bob Cole Conservancy
11 pm Live at the Ford
Sunday, Dec. 9
4 pm Celebration of Life—
Keith Baque
4:55 pm Veterans Day Celebration
6 pm FALW Fun Karaoke
Christmas 2018
7 pm McGaugh First Grade
8 pm McGaugh Go West!
9 pm Studio Cafe
10:30 pm Shakespeare in the Park
Monday, Dec. 10
4 pm The Elf Who Saved Christmas
4:30 pm Halloween Pumpkin Carving
5:20 pm Tommy Williams Sings
5:30 pm Christmas Music with
Fortunato Revilla
5:40 pm Acapella Holiday SBTV-3
6 pm Christmas Harmonica
with Rob Roy
6:30 pm Christmas Story by Joe Osuna
6:40 pm Acapella Holiday SBTV-3
7 pm Shakespeare in the Park
9 pm Bob Cole Conservancy
10 pm Christmas Harmonica
with Rob Roy
10:10 pm Music with Fortunato Revilla
10:40 pm Hank Barto Birthday Concert
Tuesday, Dec. 11
4 pm Rockin’ Chairs
6 pm LW Video Producers Club
Holiday Party
6:32 pm Bula Brothers Dec 2018
7 pm Studio Cafe
8 pm Pageant of the Arts 2018
9:10 pm Halloween Pumpkin Carving
10 pm Bob Cole Conservancy
11 pm Cerritos Center
Wednesday, Dec. 12
4 pm FALW Fun Karaoke Christmas
4:45 pm Christmas Music with
Fortunato Revilla
4:55 pm Veterans Day Celebration LW
6 pm Acapella Holiday SBTV-3
6:20 pm Days of Old Long Gone By
6:30 pm Halloween Pumpkin Carving
7:20 pm Tommy Williams Sings
7:30 pm Christmas Harmonica
with Rob Roy
8 pm The Elf Who Saved Christmas
8:30 pm Studio Cafe
9:30 pm Rockin’ Chairs
11:30 pm Bob Cole Conservancy
*All programming is subject to change.

Toys for Tots show is Dec. 13
Clubhouse 4 will be the site for the GRF Toys for Tots Christmas Show on Thursday. Dec. 13. Doors open at 6 p.m., with live entertainment starting at 7.
The Long Beach Community Band, formerly known as the Long Beach Shoreline Winds, will be the guest entertainment this year. The band will perform a festive mix of classical, traditional and sing-along holiday music.
The event will include complimentary cookies and hot beverages. Santa and his elves will be there to collect Toys for Tots donations for the kids and provide photo opportunities.
Leisure World is typically one of the top Toys for Tots collection points in Orange County. Drop off unwrapped Toys for Tots gifts at the Security Main Gate, North Gate, St. Andrews Gate, the Security Satellite Office in Building 5, or just bring them with you to the show.
Under the direction of Greg Flores, the Long Beach Community Band is recognized as one of the region’s best community-based, symphonic ensembles and is completing its 71st concert year.
This 75-plus-member ensemble will bring an entertaining program that has put many Leisure Worlders, their friends and families in the holiday spirit for years.
This will be the band’s third performance at Leisure World in 2018 after a big success in the Amphitheater this summer and a smaller ensemble performing at this year’s tree lighting ceremony.

LW Pool Closed
The Leisure World Pool is closed for annual maintenance through Friday, Dec. 14. It will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, if all work has been completed. For more information, call the Recreation Department at 431-6586, ext. 398.

LWSB Book Club
The Leisure World Seal Beach Book Club will meet Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 7. There are no dues or fees. The election of officers will be held, and the book, “Eleanor Oliphant,” by Gail Honeyman, will be discussed. The meeting will conclude with a cup of egg nog and fruitcake.
Free paperbacks are available for extra reading.
On Jan. 17, “David and Goliath,” by Malcolm Gladwell, will be discussed. For the Feb. 21 meeting, members will read a Danielle Steel book of their choosing and discuss commonalities at the meeting.

Video Producers Club Show Line-up
The Video Producers Club, comprised of certified volunteers who create local programming that is aired on SBTV, will have the following new programs for December.
SBTV is a community, education, government public channel shown on Frontier FIOS Channel 37 and Spectrum Cable Channel 3. Programming is also available on the Internet as a live streaming feature on www.sbtv3.org. Copies of the programs can be purchased by contacting the station manager at www.sbtv3.org.
The  Rockin’ Chairs
The two-hour program features Tommy Williams, in Clubhouse 2, on Sept. 29.  Michael Oh and Irene Cistaro worked the cameras, and Paul Bassett produced the video.
Hank Barto Jazz Holiday Concert
A one-hour program featuring Hank Barto on piano, with Tina Schaffer on vocals, John Whited on drums and Frank Schatz on base.The band played traditional jazz and holiday music. Video camera operators are Jeff Plum, Joe and Oralia Osuna. Joe Osuna is the video producer.
FALW Fun Karaoke
The Filipino Association of Leisure Word sang holiday favorites. Featured were Ric Dizon, Mila Cruz, Gerry and Vilma Tagulao, Barbara May, Bob Barnum, Essie Hicks, Tessa Lee, Ren and Myrrha Villanueva, Tino Tupas, Ruby Johnson, Kaye Huff, Madgalina Beliss, Joe Sabroso and Julie Nulod.
The Veterans Ceremony
The Veterans Day Ceremony was held at Clubhouse 2 on Nov. 12.  Post Cmdr. Rich Carson officiated. The Velvetones Band, with Tommy Williams and friends, performend. The Patriotic Singers gave a salute to the military. Camera operators were Anna Derby and Michael Oh, who also produced the video.
Holiday Music by Rob Roy
Rob Roy plays holiday music on the harmonica in this one-hour program. Camera operators are Joe and Oralia Osuna. Joe Osuna is the video producer.
A Christmas Story
A mom forgets to mail a letter to Santa Claus. Follow the adventures of Sandy Tessier. Camera operators are Joe and Oralia Osuna. Joe Osuna is the author and video producer.
The Elf Who Saved Christmas
“The Elf Who Saved Christmas,” a light-hearted movie by Janice Laine Productions features lively actors from the Leisure World Theater Club. Interspersed throughout the show, the cast performs songs.
And Days Old Long Gone
Robert Burns poem scrolls over a grave marker from the 19th century. The graveyard is just outside the town in New Mexico where Billy the Kid was killed; submitted by Joseph Valentinetti.
Acapella Holidays
Christmas music sung by a vocalist with the words onscreen so people can sing along, submitted by Joseph Valentinetti.
Holiday Music
Fortunado Revilla plays the ukulele and sings holiday songs. Camera operators are Joe and Oralia Osuna; Joe is the video producer of the half-hour program.
The Bula Brothers Band
The Bula Brothers Band played at the Video Producers Club holiday celebration. The half-hour program was videotaped by Irene Cistaro, Michael Oh and Joe Osuna.
Joe was the video producer.

Technology Club
The Leisure World Technology Club will meet Tuesday, Dec. 13, in Clubhouse 3, Room 9, at 1:30 p.m. The talk will be “Cutting the Cord.”
In broadcast television, cord cutting refers to viewers who cancel cable TV subscriptions in exchange for cheaper Internet media, such as Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix and other streaming services.
The talk will cover how to do that, drawbacks, benefits and cost. Set up and other topics will be included. All are welcome. For more information, call 217-7880.

Community Sing
Community Sing will meet on Dec. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse 3 Lobby. People who want to be part of the Opening Acts should come at 6 p.m. to sign in with emcee, Carmen Edwards. Bring music for the pianist, Barbara Mclhaney.  The Recreation Department requests that people wait until 6 p.m. before entering the lobby.
After Opening Acts, Carmen will lead the sing-along before introducing her half-time guest, singer Audrey McKenzie.
On Nov. 26 Ethel Carter was the leader. Opening Acts began with Bill Frambach singing “Frenesi,” followed by Bob Barnum performing “Twilight Time”; Peter Innerbickler, “Come Back to Sorrento”; Byong Choi, “Till”; Betty Ballen, “Always on My Mind” (accompanying herself on piano); and Bruce Dupont, “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.” Pianist Pat Kogok accompanied five of the soloists.
After Opening Acts, Ethel led group singing until 7:15 when she introduced half-time guest, the famed singer and pianist Ben Berg.  Ben played and sang five pieces, including “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Got a Woman” and “The Ben Berg Boogie.”
The audience members tapped their toes, cheered and applauded his performance.
Thanks to pianist Pat Kogok and book lender Bob Barnum.

Community

Y SERVICE CLUB
Helping Others
Meet Flo Nesland is a prime example of a small town girl making good. She was born in Norma, North Dakota, a town populated by less than 75 people. One of eight surviving children, Flo and her family lived on a farm. When she was 13 and ready to go to high school, Flo boarded with either family or neighbors in the larger town of Kemare. Although she went back to Norma on weekends, she remembers being snowed in for up to six weeks, unable to return home.
Flo went to three different high schools based on where boarding arrangements could be made, graduating as one of a class of 49 students in 1949.
She moved to Minot, North Dakota, to begin nursing school at Trinity Hospital School of Nursing in 1952. One of her greatest adventures was to go on a summer-long affiliation to Cook County Hospital in Chicago for psychiatric and infectious disease nursing.
It’s hard to describe the cultural differences between Norma, North Dakota, and the heart of downtown Chicago. Although she immediately passed her exit exams, she had to wait until she was 21 to get her nursing license.
Now a fully fledged nurse, she describes the call to go “out West,” referring to Washington or California. Flo came with a classmate to Long Beach and began a career as an operating room nurse at Seaside Hospital, a facility that became today’s Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.
After she married, the Neslands moved to Lakewood and also spent a year in Lancaster. Flo continued to work as an OR nurse at local area hospitals, including Bellwood, Woodruff Community and Woodruff Gables Hospital.
Flo has two children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Her son lives in Pennyslvania and her daugther recently moved to Maui.
After her husband retired, the Neslands moved to Big Bear and lived there for 22 years. Her husband became a renowned lake fisher man and Flo became active in the mountain community, serving as an officer in the local hospital auxiliary and the Christian Women’s Club, and doing some fun seasonal jobs like selling ski lift tickets.
Flo moved to Leisure World in 2008. She is an active member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church, the Scrabble Club, and the Y Service Club, where she often volunteers to take calls for service.
The YSC offers free assistance to shareholders who need help with non-professional household tasks that they can’t do independently. To request a Y Service Club volunteer, look for the numbers to call each month in the LW News under the section “Leisure World Helping Leisure World.” Callers may even talk with Flo, or another volunteer who will match their request for assistance with a friendly club volunteer.

Earn medals in LW’s first Olympics
The Golden Rain Foundation will host the first Leisure World Olympics in 2019. Clubs will organize tournaments to determine the top three participants in various games and sports LWers play. The tournaments will culminate with an awards ceremony in May. All competitors must be members of the GRF.
Athletic groups within LW are invited to participate by organizing tournaments. Individuals who participate in events and athletic skills, such as swimming, freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and relay teams, that are not organized by clubs are also invited to take part in the LW Olympics.
Suggested events include bridge, Mexican Train, golf, tennis, table tennis, Bunco, pinochle, bocce ball, chess, Scrabble, pickle ball, shuffleboard, cribbage, Yahtzee, billiards, poker, bowling bicycling, walking, swimming, Mah Jongg, Pan, Go and basketball free throws.
Clubs and competitors will conduct tournaments from March to April and an awards ceremony with medals will be held in the Amphitheater in May.
Genres with multiple clubs must work together to participate in one tournament resulting in a first, second and third place winner for each sport.
To participate in the LW Olympics email the club name, activity, contact name and contact phone number to events@lwsb.

GAF
Sign up to participate in donation programs before holiday season
This is the heart of the shopping season and the The Golden Age Foundation (GAF), a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to making the Leisure World Seal Beach community a better and happier place in which to live, invites all residents, friends and family to participate in the Ralph’s Reward program and Smile.Amazon.com.
The two companies provide donations to the GAF based on purchases made by those who sign up for the programs without any cost to the participants.
Once enrolled in the Smile.Amazon.com program, every time the participant shops on Amazon, the company donates a percentage of the purchase to GAF. To register, visit Smile.Amazon.com and indicate the charitable organization as the Golden Age Foundation, Seal Beach.
The Ralph’s Reward program is another way to donate to the Golden Age Foundation. Sign up on www.ralphs.com. Participants will need a Ralph’s Reward Card number to register or a phone number associated with the rewards account. As of September, Ralph’s no longer offers registration over the phone. Registering can only be done online at www.ralphs.com.
To help Ralph’s members who would like to register and support GAF but are unable to do online registration, GAF will assist with your registration. A GAF board member will be at the Hospitality Center in Clubhouse 6 on Tuesdays during December from 9-11 a.m. to assist in registering for the Ralph’s Reward program.
The holidays are fast approaching, and this is a great opportunity for you to help GAF as it works to enrich the lives of Leisure World residents. Ralphs has announced that it is committed to giving $2 million during the next 12 months through its Community Contributions program. Helping the GAF obtain a portion of these funds (at no cost to purchaser) just by signing up and doing normal Ralph’s shopping.

MINIBUS
Orientation sessions are today
The Golden Rain Transportation Department will conduct informational meetings on using the Minibus service from 10-11:30 a.m. and 6-7 p.m. today, Dec. 6, in Clubhouse 3, Room 3.
The sessions are for shareholders who want to learn about Minibus system routes and timetables and other transportation options available in Leisure World.
“Learn the Route,” previewing the “D” route, will follow the 10 a.m session. The ride-along is limited to the first 17 participants and takes one hour.
Bus service orientations are held on the first Thursday of every month.
For more information, call Fleet Manager Grant Winford at 431-6586, ext. 372.

View holiday lights from Minibus
The seventh annual Leisure World holiday light tour of Leisure World aboard the GRF Minibus will take place from Dec. 17-21.
The Minibus service will conduct two tours each night, at 5:15 and 6:45, except Dec. 21 when there will only be a 5:15 tour.
The tours depart from the Health Care Center.
Seating is first-come, first-served. GRF Minibuses seat approximately 19 passengers.
At the conclusion of each tour, all passengers who need a ride will be taken home or to any other location inside LW.
For further information, call Grant Winford, fleet manager, 431-6586, ext. 372.

SUNSHINE CLUB
Restoration of Bay Theatre is topic tomorrow
The restoration of the Bay Theatre on Main Street in Seal Beach will be explained by Paul Dunlap when he is the guest speaker at the Sunshine Club tomorrow, Dec. 7, at 10 a.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 9.
Dunlap will present the plans and the progress on this project.
The Bay Theatre is an iconic landmark on Main Street in Seal Beach. It was originally constructed and opened in 1945. The Bay Theater is best known for screening of foreign and independent films, as well as revival screenings.
The building closed in August 2012. The Dunlap Property Group, purchased the theater for renovation in 2017.
Dunlap plans for the new Bay Theatre to begin a new generation of entertainment to the area.
Dunlap, Southern California native, has grown up appreciating the history and value of the area he lives in.
He began his professional real estate career in 1976. One of his core beliefs, and a key component of his company’s philosophy, is to invest in properties that preserve the quality and individual character of a community.
The Sunshine Club holiday party will be held Dec. 21, the last meeting of the year. A combination of Eastern and Western food will be served. The cost is $5 per person. To attend the holiday party, pay Barbara Ziemke at the Dec. 7 meeting. Space is limited and first-come first-served.
The Sunshine Club is designed to help people to get along in the community and for neighbors to have better communications and to get the best out of living in Leisure World by learning how to use available information.
The classes use the LW Weekly as a textbook to go over LW news, general columns, etc.
Arrive a few minutes early to enjoy refreshments before the meeting begins at 10 a.m. and bring a mug or cup to participate in the “Save the Earth” program.
The club meets from 10 a.m.-noon on Friday in Clubhouse 3, Room 2 (Room 9 on the first Friday).
There are no membership dues, and everyone in LW is welcome.
For more information, call Anna Derby, 301-5339.

Community
Bingo played Sundays in CH 2
Bingo games, sponsored by different Leisure World clubs, are played at 1:30 p.m. on Sundays in Clubhouse 2. The doors open at 1. All LWers are welcome. Complimentary refreshments are served.
On Dec. 9 the games will be hosted by the Gadabouts.
The New York Club hosts the first Sunday of the month; Gadabouts, second Sunday; St. Therese of Holy Family Parish, third Sunday; and the American Legion the fourth and fifth Sundays.

Mutual 2
Holiday dinner will be catered
Residents of Mutual 2 are invited to attend the annual holiday dinner party on Saturday, Dec. 15, at 5 p.m. in Clubhouse 2.
This year the Board voted to have a catered dinner instead of a potluck. Tickets will be $5 per person and the limit is 250 people. Tickets are going fast.
The menu is turkey and dressing or tri-tip with mashed potatoes and gravy. Salad, rolls and coffee will also be included.
If shareholders have a favorite appetizer or dessert to share, feel free to add it to festivities.
There will be a live band providing entertainment and an opportunity drawing.
To purchase tickets, call Laura Sporcich, 598-7695, Myrna Baker, 430-2313, or one of the other committee members listed on the holiday flyer that has been distributed around the Mutual. The deadline for ticket sales is Dec. 10. No tickets will be sold at the door.

KACF
Artistic work will be shared Dec. 14
The Korean American Computer Forum (KACF) will present its annual video presentation on Friday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. in Clubhouse 4.
The event demonstrates the video/photo editing skills club members learned in the KACF classes.
The first part of the presentation will begin with classical music celebrating the joyful Christmas season and also include videos and slideshows of images club members took during their traveling.
After an intermission, the presentation will feature biographies of renowned writers illustrated with videos and photos combined with music. The presentation will also include artistic introductions of famous masterpiece paintings.
Each presentation uses videos/photos combined with music, using DVDs and computer slideshows.
The presentation will end with an artistic touch showing traditional Korean-style residences and introduce one of the great painters, Henri Matisse, and his famous works.
The presentation will last about two hours with a 30-minute intermission. Drinks and snacks will be offered for the intermission during friendly conversation among guests.

ROLLIN’ THUNDER
Golf carts will parade through LW
Members of the LW Rollin’ Thunder Golf Cart Club and their guests are urged to start planning their festive holiday decorations for the annual Golf Cart Club Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 15, weather permitting. “Light drizzle..we go! Anything heavier…it’s ‘no go,” say organizers.
Participants will gather at Clubhouse 6 to drop off fresh-baked goodies and decorate their carts.
The parade begins at 5 p.m. from Clubhouse 6 and is expected to return to Clubhouse 6 about 6 p.m. for holiday delights and seasonal camaraderie. The Rollin’ Thunder Club will provide beverages, including hot chocolate and coffee.
A map of the parade route will be published in the Dec. 13 edition of the LW Weekly, along with an alternate date, if one is selected due to rainy weather. To maintain the one-hour time schedule and help ensure that participants don’t drain their batteries dry, this year’s route will stick closely to Leisure World’s main roads. All residents are encouraged to cheer on their favorites and friends as the parade crosses through our numerous intersections.
For further information, contact Club President Tom Davis, 431-6859.

FRIENDSHIP CLUB
Learn to navigate eBay Dec. 10
The Friendship Club offers computer classes taught by Jeff Sacks, Maxine Smith, and Miryam Fernandez.
• Monday, Dec. 10, Clubhouse 3, Room 4
11 a.m. -1 p.m. – Let’s Talk ebay (Smith)
Monday, Dec. 17 in Clubhouse 6, Room B
11 a.m. – Prepare for a test (DMV or Real Estate) using technology (Sacks)
Noon- Facebook for Beginners (Fernandez), an introduction to Facebook for the beginner.
• Monday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve
No Class
Classes are free, but donations to pay for a wireless hotspot and printing materials are welcome.
For computer information, call Sacks, 431-8050. To suggest questions for question-and-answer sessions or to be added to the e-mail list, e-mail jfsacks@gmail.com.

Yiddish Club
Learn history of Hanukkah today
The Yiddish Club of Leisure World will meet tonight, Dec. 6, in Clubhouse 3, Room 2, at 7. The topic of the meeting will be “Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.”
After new Yiddish words and proverbs are introduced, the President of the club, Yakob Basner, will give a lecture on the history of Hanukkah. Stories, poems and jokes connected with Hanukkah will be recited.
Refreshments will be served after the program.

CERT workshop slated for Dec. 7
The CERT Study Club offers free refresher workshops once a month to help keep skills sharp. The next workshop is Dec. 7, 1 p.m., Clubhouse 5, Conference Room B. The topic is treating heat and cold-related injuries, bites and stings. Bring CERT backpacks and be ready to do fun and interactive training.
Participation in workshops refreshes memory and improves confidence.
People who want to be part of the solution when disaster strikes are encouraged to get come to the workshops. This month the group will focus heavily on CERT training for first aid. The workshops are interactive and fun.
Workshops are held the first Friday of the month in Clubhouse 5, Conference Room B.

Census Bureau needs field reps
The U.S. Census Bureau is looking for field representatives to work on an upcoming housing survey.
The position involves receiving a list of selected sample addresses and attempting to conduct interviews with the residents of those addresses. Field representatives will be trained on the survey and how to use a provided laptop computer to conduct interviews. A valid driver’s license and working vehicle are necessary for the position, and all travel time is paid, as well as mileage reimbursed.
For more information, call (818) 267-1839 and ask about attending one of the assessment and application sessions.

FALW
Meeting canceled
The Filipino Association of Leisure World will not meet Dec. 9 due to the Simbang Gabi celebration.
Members are reminded to contact their food group leaders to find out what they are to bring to the celebration.

Power of Jewish Women is topic at Schmooze Club
The Schmooze Club welcomes back Ita Marcus as its featured speaker on Tuesday, Dec. 11, in Clubhouse 3, Room 9. Gather at 10 a.m. for refreshments and “schmoozing” followed by the program “The Power of the Jewish Woman!” at 10:30.
Mrs. Marcus was born in Prague and came to the United States in 1948. She is the mother of 10 children, including the club’s beloved friend, teacher, musician, author and expert kosher pickle maker Rabbi Shmuel Marcus, who will be joining us.
Mrs. Marcus is a veteran educator, having taught since 1963, and she recently became a lecturer at the Hebrew Academy in Westminster.
Schmooze Club members enjoy her stories and inspiring teachings. This program is for men as well as women.
All interested Leisure Worlders and guests, especially newcomers, are invited to participate in this morning of camaraderie, fun and uplift. There is no cost to attend and “no dues to schmooze.” Donations are gratefully accepted.
For more information, call Darlene Rose, 347-8088.

PAWS, CLAWS AND BEAKS
Crackers is December’s pet of month
The Paws, Claws and Beaks will have a holiday luncheon at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at a local restaurant in place of the regular meeting.
Call Jackie Hildebrant, (714) 423-8279, for the location and additional information.
Regular meetings will resume on Jan 9. The guest speaker will discuss handling pets during a disaster.
•••
Crackers, who was rescued from the Long Beach Animal Services by Frank and Ani DePalma, Mutual 6, last July, was selected as the Paws, Claws and Beaks pet of the month. Crackers was an abandoned and abused little dog. Crackers loves “walking” with all of his little dog friends. He visits universities and assisted living facilities on a regular basis. He loves to nibble on turkey, chicken, and vanilla bean ice cream. He also gets prime rib bones weekly.
The DePalmas moved to LW from South Irvine two years ago. Ani is from Bandung, Indonesia, and works at Gelsons’ deli. Frank is from the Orange County area.
“Our little Crackers is truly an inspiration to us,” says Frank. “Everywhere that Crackers goes he warms up to both people and doggies.”

KAA elect officers at Dec. 18 meeting
The Korean American Association will hold its annual general meeting and year-end party at noon, Tuesday, Dec. 18, in Clubhouse 2.
The first part of program will include meeting announcements, salute to the American and Korean flags, singing “God Bless America” and the “Korean National Anthem” and an invocation by retired pastor Chung Kuhn Lee.
The KAA Board of Directors elected Wook Jang Cho as the next president for 2019-2020 at the Nov. 8. meeting.
The president will be ratified for a two-year term at the general meeting with voting by the regular members.
The current president Yong Pyon will be chairman of board of directors.
Korean food, dosirak, will be served to the members. Entertainment will be provided by Sarangbang, a sing-along club. A traditional Korean song, “Chang” will be sung by Joung Sook Kim. There will be a couple’s dance by Ki Ho Kim and a traditional Korean dance performed by Grace Lee.
Gifts are prepared for all the attendees, and bountiful prizes for raffles are waiting winners.
The purpose of KAA is to foster fellowship among the members, exchanging information, promote Korean culture and provide voluntary service to the community.
For more information, call Yong Pyon at (310) 658-0379.

KACF
Windows 10 will be subject for computer classes in January
Korean American Computer Forum (KACF) will offer Windows 10 classes, in January 2019, for club members to learn the latest version of the Windows 10 operating system.
Since Microsoft announced that the next Windows 10, with minor improvements, will be the final version, KACF recognized the need for the community to acquire up-to-date skills for the latest technologies. IT manufacturers now offer the means to synchronize (“sync”) data between computers and smartphones, as well as enable smooth file transfers between computers and smartphones. This development has promoted the use of the “Cloud” for data storage.
KACF has designed a basic-level computer class and an advanced-level computer class. The basic class will cover seven subjects. The advanced class will cover six subjects. The following are the syllabuses for each class:
Basic computer class:
1. How to start my computer or particular “app”
2. Word Processing and Keyboard Shortcut Keys
3. Names of Files and Folders
4. Basic Glossary of Computer Terms
5. File Explorer and searching for files
6. What can a computer do for me?
7. “Googling” and storing data for personal use
Advanced computer class:
1. Computer diagnostics, virus protection, tuning and updating
2. Personalization, Windows manipulation
3. Syncing Mail, Calendar and People to Outlook
4. Hotspot setting and Microsoft Edge
5. Using OneDrive for file sharing between computer and smartphone
6. Photo editing, video creation and uploading to YouTube.
Jeremy Hong will teach the basic computer skills class on the second Tuesday of the month, from 1-3 p.m., in Clubhouse 3, Room 1.
Ken Chung will teach the advanced computer skills class, Windows 10, on the first and third Tuesday of each month, from 9:30-11:30 a.m.,in Clubhouse 3, Room 2.
Fro information on the classes, contact Jae Kim at (949) 751-9719, or Suk Im at (206) 679-7570.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Norma Poe celebrates 90th with family, Mickey Mouse
Norma Poe, Mutual 17, was surrounded by her extended family at Thanksgiving to celebrate her 90th birthday. They visited various amusement parks with her whole family except for one grandson who could not get off to make the trip.
Norma was born Nov. 18, 1928.
In addition to her family, Norma shared her birthday with another famous character, Mickey Mouse. Mickey Mouse, the mascot of The Walt Disney Company was created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at the Walt Disney Studios in 1928.
On Nov. 18, Norma’s birthday, ABC television, whose parent company is The Walt Disney Company, aired “Mickey Mouse 90th Anniversary” around the world.
Norma’s family came from Missouri, Chicago, Arkansas, Washington and Ventura County for the celebration that extended through the holiday weekend.
Also attending the big event were two sons of her foreign exchange student from Uganda, who arrived at LAX on the day the Watt’s Riots broke out in 1965.
The oldest, Trevor, is her godson. He is a sports attorney in Beverly Hills. His brother, Eric, is in medical school studying to be a psychologist.
They profusely thanked Norma for taking in their father, who while living with the Poes, graduated at the top of his class from La Mirada High School and went on to study medicine in England. He returned to the U.S. and is a doctor in New York. Coming to California helped to pave the way for his sons to be born in the U.S. rather than Africa and lead productive professional lives.

Local mortuary collects gifts for holiday giving
McKenzie Mortuary is sponsoring its 25th annual food/toy/gift card drive for the www.KammCares.org, a charity created by Kenneth McKenzie for those going through breast cancer treatment.
Kammcares.org provides grants for child care, groceries, children’s Christmas gifts or in any manner needed.
Bring non-perishable gifts to McKenzie Mortuary, 3843 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach.
Contributions will be collected seven-days-a-week from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the mortuary. If delivery is difficult, call 961-9301 and a convenient pick up can be arranged.

Shareholder keeps original newspaper recounting attack of Pearl Harbor
by Cathie Merz
cathiem_news@lwsb.com

The first sign of the Japanese fleet heading toward Pearl Harbor came at 7 a.m. on Dec. 7, 1941, when two U.S. Army privates on Oahu were about to turn off a mobile radar station they had manned since 4 a.m. A large indistinct patch of light, which appeared to come from 50 planes, seemed to be heading toward the island. It was dismissed as a fleet of American B-17s.
Less than an hour later, at 7:55 a.m., the Japanese dropped the first bomb on Pearl Harbor. The attack lasted for two hours damaging or destroying 20 vessels, eight battleships and 200 planes. U.S. military casualties totaled more than 3,400, including more than 2,300 killed in the attack.
Jeanne Smith, Mutual 3, was 13. She lived in the valley above Pearl Harbor. It was her birthday and a day she will always remember. She kept the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, First Extra Edition, newspaper to never forget.
Her father, who worked at the Supply Depot at Pearl Harbor, rushed out of the bathroom with shaving cream covering his face after hearing the explosions, saying “Turn that radio on!”
At 7:58 a.m., the Ford Island command center sent a radio alert: “AIR RAID PEARL HARBOR. THIS IS NOT DRILL.”
Shortly after the announcement, both her parents took off to work, leaving Jeanne to take care of her two sisters and a niece who was at the house that day.
Her mother worked at Queen’s Hospital.
Jeanne climbed out of the second story of the house onto the carport roof and saw Pearl Harbor in flames. While she was up there two planes with the “Rising Sun” on them buzzed by her; they looked at her and then took off.
The attack was not isolated to the harbor, planes attacked U.S. military aircraft at the Naval Air Station on Ford Island and adjoining at Wheeler and Hickam fields.
They also took out two water tanks on the hill above, flooding the valley where she lived and dropped bombs on Honolulu, Jeanne said. On the way they dropped a bomb two blocks over from her house. She ran over and saw a big hole and her girlfriend and her girlfriend’s 3-year-old niece dead. They were hit while walking home form church.
“It was really scary,” remembers Jeanne.
She said that volunteers on patrol went through the neighborhoods and told everyone to turn off lights and fill their bathtubs with water. They passed out gas masks to wear. They lived in the dark for three days and nights.
On Dec. 8, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a speech in which he famously called the attack on Pearl Harbor “a date which will live in infamy,” while Congress quickly passed a declaration of war on Japan.
Jeanne’s parents were occupied with the war effort and sent her and her sibling to safety to live in Michigan on a farm with relatives.
She left the warm Hawaiian sunshine for cold winter temperatures and she loved it. She had never seen snow before.
The eight-page edition of the Dec. 7, 1941, Honolulu Star-Bulletin had chilling reports of that day. Stories ran under the banner headline “WAR! OAHU BOMBED BY JAPANESE PLANES.” Smaller headlines reported a “Six Known Dead, 21 Injured, at Emergency Hospital.”
Here are some highlights from the Page 1 stories of that fateful edition:
• Oahu was attacked at 7:55 this morning by Japanese planes. The Rising Sun, emblem of Japan, was seen on plane wing tips. Wave after wave of bombers streamed through the clouded morning sky from the southwest and flung their missiles on a city resting in peaceful Sabbath calm.
•Hundreds of Honolulans who hurried to the top of the Punchbowl soon after the bombs began to fall, saw spread out before them the whole panorama of surprise attack and defense. Far off over Pearl Harbor, the white sky was polka-dotted with anti-aircraft smoke. Rolling away from the navy base were billowing clouds of ugly black smoke. Out of the silver-surfaced mouth of the harbor, a flotilla of destroyers streamed to battle, smoke pouring from their stacks.
•City in an Uproar: Within 10 minutes, the city was in an uproar. As bombs fell in many parts of the city, the defenders of the island went into quick action. The army has ordered that all civilians stay off the streets and highways and not use telephones. The Pearl Harbor Highway was immediately a mass of racing cars.
•Thousands of telephone calls almost swamped the Mutual Telephone Co., which put extra operators on duty.
•Witnesses say they saw at least 50 airplanes over Pearl Harbor. Some enemy planes were reported shot down. The body of a pilot was seen in a plane burning at Wahiawa.
Keep Safe and Shop On
by Cathie Merz
cathiem_news@lwsb.com

Keep safe and shop on

It’s the holiday season … a busy time of year when many people are stressed and let their guard down, resulting in misfortune. Don’t become a victim of unscrupulous people and play it safe by following these shopping safety tips.
While shoppers are busy spending their hard-earned cash, crooks are looking for ways to see what they can get. By being diligent and aware shoppers can protect themselves and their purchases.
Holiday shopping habits have changed drastically in recent years with more and more people turning to online shopping rather than venturing out to “brick and mortar” stores.
Just as caution must be exercised while in a crowded store, remember to be as vigilant in the World Wide Mall. Keep cyber information secure while enjoying safe holiday shopping online and follow precautions.
• Be cautious on public Wi-Fi networks. Public Wi-Fi can be hacked by someone with the right tools, exposing passwords, billing information and other sensitive data. A secure network connection – like in most homes or workplaces is best. When in stores or restaurants, avoid using banking or other apps that access sensitive personal information and limit browsing to window-shopping and price comparing, rather than buying.
• Before making a purchase on line, be sure the site is secure. Look for a small lock icon in the website’s URL and that there is an extra “s” (https) as part of the address. The “s” indicates it is a secure site.
• Make sure apps are downloaded from a trusted source, such as the Android Market, Apple App Store or the Amazon App Store. When downloading the app, it will ask for various “permissions.” Be sure to read through them and note whether they make sense… for example, does a shopping app need access to your contact list? Another way to check on the safety of apps is to read through the feedback in the comments section of the market and choose apps with a high ratings.
• Beware of clicking on links received from unfamiliar websites. It could be a “phishing” scheme, where shoppers who click through are led to a false site developed to steal their data. If the deal is too good to pass up, enter the website name by hand into your browser.
• Use a credit card for online shopping. Credit cards have more fraud protections than a debit cards.
• The number one way to protect devices and data is to install mobile anti-virus software and make sure it is up to date.
If gift giving includes donations to charities watch out for look-alike websites that mimic famous brands but may be scams, and be on the lookout for name similarities.
Dubious charities and websites often pick names that sound like a familiar charities and companies. Before giving or purchasing, be sure it is the exact name of the charity or company.
Visit Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited charities that have fully disclosed information to the BBB. Although participation is voluntary, be cautious of charities that don’t disclose requested information to BBB.
If a scam is suspected, check out check out the BBB Scam Tips, bbb.org/scamtips. Report scams to the BBB Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker.
Beware of Email Phishing. With all the promotional emails sent during the holidays, scammers will be out in full force. It’s best not to click on links from senders you don’t recognize. Don’t forget to hover the mouse over links without clicking to see if the address is really taking you to where it says it is. Also, check the reply email address. The address should be on a company domain.
Read product reviews, and read past customers’ comments on products and experiences with the business that are readily available online. Check to see how the business responds to complaints.
Look at the sales flyers and ads, compare prices, and look for early promotions and “flash sales.”
When making a purchase online as with making purchases in a store, inquire about the return policy and warranty information before purchasing. Also, be sure to pass along any information about returns, exchanges, repairs and warranties to the person who will use the item.
Always ask for a gift receipt. This way the recipient can return or exchange a gift if necessary.
Stealing packages from the doorstep has become a common problem with thieves following the delivery trucks and walking up to a door minutes after the package is dropped off. To avoid having packages stolen with in minutes of delivery, track shipments, have them delivered to the office or ask someone trusted to retrieve packages that you won’t be home to receive.
Amazon has many of its own delivery personnel and delivery instructions can be included with the purchase including delivery inside the house using an entry code.
Amazon also offers the Amazon Locker option. Instead
Take precautions while holiday shopping
“It’s the most wonderful time of year…”
That could be true if crowds and spending money are considered a passion… or if a person is into the criminal element.
The holiday season is a time when busy people become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime.
Shoppers can never be too careful, too prepared or too aware says law enforcement personnel.
Here are some helpful shopping safety tips to stay safe during the holiday season.
• Avoid shopping alone if possible
• Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member.
• Park in well-lit areas
• Have keys ready before getting to your vehicle.
• Dress casually and comfortably.
• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
• Do not carry a purse or wallet, if possible.
• Always carry a driver’s license or a state issued identification card along minimal cash. Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible.
• Keep cash in your front pocket.
• Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen or misused.
•Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home.
• Be extra careful if you do carry a wallet or purse. They are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, transportation terminals, bus stops, on buses and other rapid transit.
• Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.
• Ask store security to walk you to your car if you are uncomfortable.
• Do not leave new purchases or valuables in plain view in your vehicle.
• Relocate your vehicle after dropping off a load of purchases if you have more shopping to do.
• Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay alert to your surroundings. Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, “con-artists” may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

WATCH YOUR STEP
Beware of holiday scams
by Jim Breen
jimb_news@lwsb.com

With the holiday season now underway, it’s an appropriate time to remind residents of the holiday scams seen at local stores.
A primary scheme is the rear window scam that raises its ugly head this time of the year. It occurs when shoppers, especially women, carry their packages of gifts from the store to the adjacent parking lot.
They open the car, deposit the gifts inside, then begin to back out before something unusual catches their eye. It’s a sheet of paper taped to the back window of the car. Then when the victim gets out to remove the paper they often leave they keys in the ignition or the engine running and their handbag or briefcase in the car. The car-jackers appear out of nowhere, jump into the car and take off.
In addition to having your car, purse and packages, they also have your ID with your address and keys to get into your home.
Remember, if your rear view window is blocked like this, just drive away and remove the paper later.
Additional safety tips to avoid holiday scams:
• Lock your car and double check to make sure it is secure.
• Make sure all the windows are shut. Thieves are known to use the tiniest openings to unlock the door.
• Never leave valuables that can be seen by potential thieves in the car.

Obituaries
Space is available for obituaries of residents and former residents.
• An “In Memoriam” column is available free of charge. Limited to name, mutual number and date of death.
• An obituary with or without photo is available free of charge for the first 250 words. Additional words will be charged at the rate of 25 cents per word. Notices written by the news staff will be free and no more than 250 words.
• Notices from mortuaries and non-GRF members will be printed exactly as submitted and charged at the non-member classified advertising rate, $12 for the first 12 words and 25 cents for each additional word.
• Bordered, decorative obituaries and eulogies are available in any size at the prevailing display advertising rate.
• Obituaries may be published as news articles when the person has been a member of the GRF Board of Directors, or when, in the opinion of the managing editor, the passing of a person is newsworthy to a sufficiently large number of GRF members.
• A “Card of Thanks” section is available in the classified section of LW Weekly at the member classified advertising rate, $8 for the first 12 words and 25¢ per word thereafter, for persons wanting to express their thanks for help during bereavement, sickness, etc.

•••
In Memoriam
Joan Quinn -Chaplain 69
Richard Nerren 72
Linda McVickers 72
Carol Harrison 68
Victor Smith 72
Clara Hope 83
Wanda Belton 65
Joseph Naone 25
Gloria Frushon 74
Elizabeth Feldman 96
Anthony Lewis 70
Pauline Hopper 91
Dennis Leahy 69
Families assisted by
McKenzie Mortuary,
961-9301
—paid obituary

Travel

On the Go
Day Trips
Pala Casino – Nov. 30, $6, $10 back, American Legion Post 327, Gail Levitt, 596-1346
Castle on the Green – Sunday, Dec. 2, $70 with lunch at Cheesecake Factory, LW Garden Club, Dee Neri, 431-5889, or Gail Levitt, 596-1346
“Magic of Christmas” La Mirada Theater – Thursday, Dec. 6, $70, Children-A-Priority, Juanita Townsend, 431-4026
Pauma Casino – Dec. 12, $15; $10 cash in machine, New York Club, Phyllis Pierce, 598?3743, or Chee Chee Porr, 430-5949
Colorful Songs Revue – Dec. 13, $109 with lunch and wine, David Nell/Good Times Travel, (888) 488-2287
Walt Disney Concert Hall , L.A. Master Chorale Festival of Carols -Dec. 15, $99, David Nell/Good Times Travel, (888) 488-2287
Disney on Ice – Dare to Dream – Dec. 19, Honda Center, $37 with transportation, GRF Recreation, 431-6586, ext. 326 or 324, or email events@lwsb.com
Workman & Temple Family Homestead Museum, Rancho Cucamonga Lights – Dec. 17, $89 includes afternoon tea at the Christmas House Inn, David Nell/Good Times Travel, (888) 488-2287
Fantasy Springs Casino- Jan. 2, $30, Los Alamitos Senior Club, Teri Nugent, 446-0293, Verna Burns, 596-1886, Joyce Ingram, (714) 887-9821
Guide Dog/Braille Institute- Jan. 2, $75 with lunch at Clifton’s, Los Alamitos Senior Club, Teri Nugent, 446-0293, Verna Burns, 596-1886, Joyce Ingram, (714) 887-9821
Pechanga Casino- Feb. 6, $15, Los Alamitos Senior Club, Teri Nugent, 446-0293, Verna Burns, 596-1886, Joyce Ingram, (714) 887-9821
Segerstrom Center , Come From Away – Feb. 7, $92, GRF Recreation, events@lwsb.com, 431-6586. ext. 326.
Tribute to Cher, Tom Jones, Elton John, Liza Minnelli, Palm Springs – Thursday, Feb. 28, $103 includes lunch, Los Alamitos Senior Club, Teri Nugent, 446-0293, Verna Burns, 596-1886, Joyce Ingram, (714) 887-9821
Pirates of Penzance, Glendale Theater – Saturday, March 16, $95 includes lunch, at Scarantino’s, Los Alamitos Senior Club, Teri Nugent, 446-0293, Verna Burns, 596-1886, Joyce Ingram, (714) 887-9821
Harrah’s Rincon – Daily, free, Amphitheater, 7:15-7:30 a.m., (877) 777-2457
Pala Casino – Daily, free, Amphitheater, 8 a.m., (714) 985-9555
Pechanga Casino – Daily, Amphitheater, 8 a.m., free, $10 in EZ Play upon arrival, (951) 770-2579
Valley View Casino – Sunday-Tuesday, Amphitheater, 7 a.m., free

Overnight Trips
Las Vegas, Sam’s Town – Three days, Jan. 14-16, Los Alamitos Senior Club, Teri Nugent, 446-0293, Verna Burns, 596-1886
Arizona Gems, Quartzsite, Arizona – Jan 20-22, Motorcoach, Blue Water Resort. Traveling Tigers, Joanna Matos, 598-1849
Coastal “Safari” by Rail – Three-day tour featuring an Oceanfront Stay in Pismo Beach, Coast Starlight Train, Morro Bay and Cambria. Feb. 6-8, 2019, David Nell/Good Times Travel, (888) 488-2287
Wonder Valley- Feb. 10-12, $103, Los Alamitos Senior Club, Teri Nugent, 446-0293, Verna Burns, 596-1886, Joyce Ingram, (714) 887-9821
Bluegrass Cruise – Feb. 18-22, four days, Carnival Inspiration, Long Beach, Catalina, Ensenada, Long Beach, Ellen Brannigan, (310) 890-2368.

Around Town
The annual Seal Beach Christmas Parade will step off from Ocean Avenue and Main Street at 7 p.m. tomorrow, Dec. 7, and proceed down Main Street to Pacific Coast Highway. The theme for the 40th anniversary is “A Ruby Red Christmas.” More than 100 entries are expected, including marching bands, dancing groups, youth groups, equestrians, classic cars, local businesses, floats, military displays and more. People are encouraged to come early to shop and eat downtown. The parade is sponsored by the Seal Beach Lions Foundation with help from the city.
•••
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, circa 1880, at Rancho Los Cerritos. The historic home has been decorated with period-specific materials, from the fresh evergreen garland along the staircase to the gift boxes in the master bedroom and charity baskets in the food storage room. House tours are available Wednesdays-Sunday, from 1-5 p.m. and include details about how the holidays were celebrated in 19th-century California. Admission is free. On Dec. 9 from 1-4 p.m. the rancho will host the Old Time Christmas Festival, $5. The festival will include making historic crafts, holiday music from a live brass band and carolers, pinatas, and storytellers in the library. to purchase tickets, visit www.rancholoscerritos.org/upcoming-event/old-time-christmas-festival-2018/. Rancho Los Cerritos is located at 4600 Virginia Road, Long Beach.
•••
Bring family and friends for an evening visit to Rancho Los Alamitos for A Ranch Christmas, Dec. 12-14 from 4-8 p.m. Celebrate the season with a tour of the historic ranch house decorated in 1930s holiday style. Kids will love to visit the ranch animals in the barnyard. Enjoy complimentary refreshments and holiday music under the eaves of the horse barn. Admission is free. Reservations are required for parking. For more information and to make parking reservations, call 431-3541 or visit www.rancholosalamitos.com/events.html.

Tickets for ‘Come From Away’ are on sale in Recreation
The true story of the small town that welcomed the world, Broadway’s “Come From Away” has won Best Musical across North America. The GRF Recreation Department has secured tickets for the Feb. 7 evening performance at Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
The New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them.
Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.
Don’t miss this new musical written by Tony nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and helmed by this year’s Tony-winning Best Director, Christopher Ashley
The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and runs 100 minutes, with no intermission
Tickets, $92, are available at the Recreation Office, located in Building 5. Price includes transportation and fees.
Make reservations by emailing events@lwsb.com, in person or by calling 431-6586. ext. 326.
Guests are welcome but must be accompanied by a GRF member. Limited accessible seating is available but must be requested at the time of purchase.

Sports and Games

Cards and Games Scoreboard
Saturday Social Bunco winners Nov. 24: Most buncos, tie, Rita Fueyo and Julie Milburn. Most wins, Louise Damron. Most babies, tie, Mary Milhone and Diane Wasserman. Most loses, Susie Ralston. Door prize, Sandy Weinenstein. The Saturday Social Bunco’s next meeting will bethe Christmas party/luncheon on Saturday, Dec. 8, in Clubhouse 3, Room 1 at noon. Play will begin at approximately 1 p.m. The club meets the second and fourth Saturdays of the month in Clubhouse 3 lobby. For more information, call Doris Dack, (714) 356-0443.
•••
Best Time Bunco results from Nov. 26: Most buncos, tie, Karen LaCurse and Jean Hayes. Most wins, Marilyn Moody. Most babies, Susie Ralston. Most losses, tie, Audrey Hutchings andGail Levitt. Door prize winner, Peg Szumita. Best Time Bunco’s next meeting is Monday, Dec. 10. The club meets the second and fourth Monday of the month, in Clubhouse 3, Room 1. Play begins at 6 p.m. For information, call Gail Levitt at 596-1346.
•••
Leisure World Duplicate Bridge Club overall winners in a 16-table game on Nov. 29, were: First in Strat A and B: Fred Reker-Russ Gray; second in Strat A: Fern Dunbar-LaVonne Mcquilkin; third in Strat A, second in Strat B: Bill Linskey-Emma Trepinski; fourth in Strat A: Sue Fardette-Gary Paugh; fifth in Strat A: Howard Smith-Joyce Henderson; sixth in Strat A: Christine Frumen-Norma Kruger; third in Strat B, first in Strat C: Ellen Kice-Sue Boswell; fourth in Strat B: Jerry and Melanie Smith; fifth in Strat B: Judy Carter-Johnson-Gene Yaffee; sixth in Strat B: Tim Cole-Bonny Walsh; second in Strat C: Bill Dilks-Barbara Wallace; third in Strat C: Ron Yaffee-Richard Norris; fourth in Strat C: Lynne Finley-Kay Hyland. Winners in the game on Nov. 26, were: N/S: First in Strat A: Sibyl Smith-Diane Schmitz; second in Strat A: Larry Slutsky-Mark Singer; third in Strat A, first in Strat B and Strat C: Arne Lier-Hanefi Erten; tied for fourth in Strat A, tied for second in Strat B: Frances Gross-Larry Topper and Marty Lipman-George Alemshah; fourth in Strat B, second in Strat C: Ron and Gene Yaffee. E/W: Tied for first in Strat A and B: Peggi Spring-Monica Gettis and Nancy Lichter-Norma Kruger (first in Strat C); third in Strat A and B, second in Strat C: Kathy Stephanson-Claudette Barrack; fourth in Strat A: Marilyn McClintock-Fern Dunbar; fifth in Strat A, fourth in Strat B, third in Strat C: Jeanette Estill-Ann Croul. Games are played Monday and Thursday afternoons beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse 3 Lobby. Players are asked to arrive by 12:15 p.m. to confirm their reservation. To make or cancel a reservation for Mondays, call Midge Dunagan at 594-9698; for Thursdays, call Sharon Beran at 308-7838 or email her, no later than 10:30 a.m. on day of game, at hbsharonb@gmail.com. With a maximum of 18 tables available, players without reservations should arrive by noon and check in with the director of the day; they will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis if there is space. Players needing a partner should arrive by noon and check with the club manager; every effort will be made to find a partner. To cancel a reservation on game day or to report running late, call 481-7368 between noon and 1 p.m. SPECIAL NOTE: Today is the annual holiday dinner and bridge game. If you haven’t made a reservation to play bridge, call Ted Wieber at 596-8661 to see if there is room. Sharon Beran is not taking reservations for today’s game.
—Gene Yaffee
•••
Friendly Pinochle Club winners Nov. 29: Marilyn Allred, 13,180; Rogell Van Wyke, 12,390; Diana Lambert, 11,740; Alma Zamzow, 11230. The club meets Thursdays from noon-4 p.m. in Clubhouse 1. For more information, call (310) 968-9509.
– Bert Sellers
•••
Burning Tree Duplicate Bridge Club winners: Dec. 1: N/S: Alan and Barbara Olschwang; Lynn Danielson-Larry Topper; Diane Sachs-Marilyn McClintock. E/W: Jeanette Estill-Hanefi Erten; Joyce Henderson-Dalia Hernandez; Judy Jones-Al Appel; Howard Smith-Dorothy Favre; Ellen Kice- Sue Boswell. Nov 30: N/S: Sibyl Smith-Diane Schmitz; Robert and Pat Adam; Sylvia Kaprelyan-George Alemshah; Judy Carter-Johnson – Mark Singer; Nancy Lichter-Winifred Warga. E/W: Hanefi Erten-Fern Dunbar; Marilyn McClintock-Jeanette Estill; Sue Fardette-Larry Slutsky; Carol Murakoshi-Lavonne McQuilkin; Ellen Kice-Russ Gray; Cookie Pham-Paul Chen. The club meets Fridays and Saturdays in Clubhouse 1 at 12:15 p.m. For information on how to play or join, call or text Fred Reker at (615) 898-0669. The next special event is the club championship and Christmas party on Friday, Dec. 14.
–Fred Reker
•••
Jolly Time Pinochle Club winners Dec. 1: Bev Adams, 10,970; Bert Sellers, 10 700; Richard Van Wasshnova, 10,610; and Jim Kaspar, 9,190. Games are played from noon-4 p.m. on Saturdays in Clubhouse 1. For more information, call Peg Kaspar at 799-0433.
–Bert Sellers
•••
Monday Bridge Club winners Dec. 3: Carl Kulzer, Maxine La-Fleur and Tom Gates. Games begin at noon in Clubhouse 1. For more information, call Mary Nell Clark, 296-8570.

LW CRIBBAGE CLUB
Lissow earns her fourth star
Bea Lissow had the perfect score of 847, winning all seven games with a 121 on Nov. 27. She received her fourth star. Ethel Freitas was next at 844, followed by Dennis Saylors at 836 and Joan Berg at 830. Jean Wilson and Marilyn Chelsvig each had six games of 121. Bill Barnes had no wins. There were 54 players.
Joe Notrica’s birthday was celebrated with chocolate cake and strawberry swirl ice cream plus an assortment of nuts and candies. Jean Wilson and Margaret Smith served.
The Cribbage Club meets on Tuesdays at noon in Clubhouse 1. Partners are not required, and everyone usually finishes by 3:30 p.m. There is always room for more players. To learn to play Cribbage or for a brush up, call Patti Smith, 242-4674, and she will arrange one-hour lessons before the games begin. Arrive by noon to be assured of a table.

LW BOWLING
Very Striking retains lead
Very Striking maintained its nine game led by sweeping Nameless. Ron Marcus lead all bowlers with a 255 game and 673 series. Very Striking had the high series for the day with 1,907 pins. For a team to bowl its average on a three-person team a 600-game score is needed.
Spares Are Good kept pace in second place by sweeping Maybe Next Tuesday. Danny Bigelow opened with a 225 and had a 628 series, while teammate Gracie Hastings had the high game for the ladies with a 203.
The Pinbusters lost the first game to D Gamblers by two pins, but came back to win three. OSIMA kept in contention in third place by taking three from Strikes Are Better as James Doris opened with a 205 game. Just Lucky took three games from We Can Do It with Frank Snee bowling a 202 and teammate Charlie Guggino a 191.

LADIES’ GOLF
Ladies played for low gross, low net and chip-ins
Forty-eight ladies played for low gross, low net  and chip-ins on Nov. 27, a perfect day on the course.
• A Flight: Low gross, tie, Devora Kim and Soo Choi, 30. Low net, tie, MaryAnn Moore,            Margie Thompson, Zoe Pickell and Jane Song, 27. Chip-in, Theresa Lim, No. 9.
• B Flight: Low gross, Sun Lee, 30. Low net, Sally Park, 24. Chip-ins, Mary Greig, No. 9, and Joann Lim, No. 4.
• C Flight: Low gross, Hailee Yang, 31. Low net, Laura Garcia, 22. Chip-ins, Melinda Lee, No. 8.
• D Flight: Low gross, tie Monica Kim and Sue Elliott, 34. Low net, Ock Im, 22. Chip-ins, Evelyn Scherber, No. 9 and Joyce Bizzell, No. 4.

CHESS PUZZLE
This week’s puzzle: White moves first and for any answer by black, the white’s next move is checkmate.
•••
Chess partners are available in Leisure World when the LW Chess Club meets from 2-6:30 p.m. on Fridays in Clubhouse 3,
Room 7. Beginners are welcome for free lessons.

Solution to this week’s puzzle: Qf5
The white Queen moves from d3 to f5. Any answer by black, the white’s next move is check mate.

SCRABBLE CLUB
Edgar wins 250th game from members
Six players livened up the Scrabble room with excitement during November by recording new records. Larry Edgar revealed that he won his 250th victory against club members.
Unfortunately, that news means that the rest of the players have lost at least 250 games totally. On occasion Edgar gets beaten by one of the members (though not without difficulty).
Bingo words use all seven tiles in a single play. This action gives that person 50 additional points as well. Edgar took top honors with four bingos, reading, studier, rolling and beguile. Flo Thompson had three, seeders, graders and spitted. Two bingos each were attained by Ruth Depuy and Wanda Bemben. Depuy’s words were dampens and tirades, while Bemben’s were enticers and reheats. Flo Nesland played the word talkier. Yes, it’s in the dictionary.
High scores often come as a result of a bingo play, but not always. Careful placement of high-point letters in the places that count can be the cause. Skill and strategy play a vital role.
Edgar had six scores above 350, his highest 404. Thompson had four, her highest also 404. Maria Giegerich had three. Her highest, 390. Bemben’s was recorded as 356.
Residents who want to join are welcome. During the holiday season, it is a good idea to call ahead as game times may vary; generally the group plays three successive games Wednesdays, beginning at 1 p.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 5. If interested, phone Flo Nesland at 598-1384.

MEN’S GOLF
Turner turns in 49 to win tourney
The Men’s Golf Club’s November tournament was held on Nov. 14 at the Leisure World course. Forty-nine golfers competed in four Flights over 18 holes.
“A” flight has golfers with handicaps of 0-5. ‘B’ flight 6-8, ‘C’ flight 9-14, and ‘D’ flight 15-18.
All scores are net: (actual score minus handicap).
A flight: Bob Turner, 49; Young Lee and Bill Lyons,52; Bob Barnum, 58; Steven Ro and Jerry Lee, 60.
B flight: Walter Bier and Jun Um, 52; Paul Alloway, Bill Long and Ron Jackson, 53.
C flight: Joon Yoon, 47; Ryan Hong, 52; Jerry Hore, 53; Young Jeun, 54.
D flight: Bill Zurn, 48; Dennis Kotecki, 51; Marvin Jones, 56; Suk Im, 58.
Jun Um had a hole-in-one on the first hole.
Closest to the pin on hole No. 8 was Ron Jackson, and on the 17th hole, Bill Lyons. There were also two circle hole winners.
—Dave LaCascia

MONDAY GOLF
McGee continues winning with 53
Six players livened up the Scrabble room with excitement during November by recording new records. Larry Edgar revealed that he won his 250th victory against club members.
Unfortunately, that news means that the rest of the players have lost at least 250 games totally. On occasion Edgar gets beaten by one of the members (though not without difficulty).
Bingo words use all seven tiles in a single play. This action gives that person 50 additional points as well. Edgar took top honors with four bingos, reading, studier, rolling and beguile. Flo Thompson had three, seeders, graders and spitted. Two bingos each were attained by Ruth Depuy and Wanda Bemben. Depuy’s words were dampens and tirades, while Bemben’s were enticers and reheats. Flo Nesland played the word talkier. Yes, it’s in the dictionary.
High scores often come as a result of a bingo play, but not always. Careful placement of high-point letters in the places that count can be the cause. Skill and strategy play a vital role.
Edgar had six scores above 350, his highest 404. Thompson had four, her highest also 404. Maria Giegerich had three. Her highest, 390. Bemben’s was recorded as 356.
Residents who want to join are welcome. During the holiday season, it is a good idea to call ahead as game times may vary; generally the group plays three successive games Wednesdays, beginning at 1 p.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 5. If interested, phone Flo Nesland at 598-1384.

MEN’S POOL /BILLIARDS
Club sets annual meeting, lunch, tourney, Dec. 8
The Men’s Pool and Billiard Club will have its annual membership meeting on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 11:45 a.m. in Clubhouse 2. Membership dues for 2019, still $5, will be collected and there will be an election for president and vice-president before lunch in the card room next to the pool room.
Lunch will be Subway sandwiches, potato chips, soda and beer.
After lunch there will be a men’s eight ball tournament around 12:30 p.m. Partners will be drawn and it will be an alternate shot doubles format that is double elimination. When a team loses two games it is out. The entry is $3 and all the money will go to the first and second place teams.
The annual membership allows members to play in the monthly tournaments and the 12-week pool leagues.

SHUFFLEBOARD CLUB
League stands are tight after week 7
The Shuffleboard Club’s 2018/2019 league season continued into week seven on Nov. 30. at the Clubhouse 1 courts.
Classics and Girl Power tied 9-9. Classics all game winner is Roger Bennett. Girl Power all game winner was Carol Johnson.
The Sliders defeated Puckmasters 11-7. Puckmasters all game winner was Gary Jantzen.
The League standings have tightened up. Teams are now very competitive with outright wins becoming a challenge.
Currently Puck Masters and Classics are tied for first place with four points; Girl Power and Sliders are tied for second with three points.
The week eight games on Dec. 7 will be Girl Power vs. The Classics and in the other match Puckmasters vs. The Sliders.
The last Friday of the month luncheon for December will not be held due to the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays. Next luncheon will be on Jan. 25.
For those who want to join or try out the game, practices during League play are 10 a.m. Monday and Wednesday at the shuffleboard courts behind Clubhouse 1. Call president Carrie Kistner at (949) 300-0285 with any questions.
The next social event is the Christmas party, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 9.
Remember to bring a $10 wrapped Christmas gift to participate in the Christmas gift exchange.

LW POOL LEAGUE
Long Shoots win sweepstakes
The Leisure World Pool League finished its 12-week fall session with pizza and salad before the final night of play. It was the sweepstakes event, where every team played every other team one game of eight ball and one game of nine ball. Unlike the normal format, where doubles and singles are played, for sweepstakes all three team members play in single shot rotation.
The Long Shoots, Boon Buntra, Rod Ellis and Sal LaScala, who finished first in the league, also finish first in the sweepstakes with seven wins and three losses. The Wild BBzzz and Chalk and Awe were tied for second place at six and four.
Players say that the pool league is something they enjoyed and really looked forward to. Another 12-week season will start Monday, Jan. 21, and ended on April 8.
The league hopes to have more women playing next year. Hopefully with a woman on ever team.

MEN’S FRIDAY GOLF
Five brave wind, dampness at Riverview
The Men’s Friday Golf League was played on Nov. 30 at Riverview Golf Club (par 70) in Santa Ana. On a very cool, damp, windy but sunny day, five men competed in one flight over 18 holes.
Bob Munn, Bill McKusky, Merle McGee and Fujio Nirohiro had birdies as the greens were very receptive and held the golf balls. Closest to the pin on Hole No. 2 was Bob, and Fujio had the honors on Hole No. 9. There were no holes-in-one.
All scores are net (actual score minus handicap).
Flight winners: Bob Munn, 56; Sam Choi, 59; Bill McKusky, 60; Merle McGee, 61; and Fujio Nirohiro, 63.
Next game at Willowick on Dec. 7.