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THE VIEW
March 2022
Old Hams arrives at SCSH March 17
photo by Beth Bolduc
story on page 14
THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
CONTACT INFORMATION HOURS OF OPERATION
Sun City Shadow Hills Community Association Please check www.scshca.com/hours
80-814 Sun City Boulevard, Indio, CA 92203 for latest hours of operation.
www.scshca.com | 760-345-4349
ASSOCIATION OFFICE
Homeowner Association (HOA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 1 Monday – Friday | 9 AM – 12 PM, 1 – 4 PM
Lifestyle Desk (Montecito Clubhouse). . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2120 First Saturday of the Month | 8 AM – 12 PM
Lifestyle Desk Fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 760-772-9891
Montecito Fitness Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2111 LIFESTYLE DESK | Daily | 8 AM – 8 PM
Santa Rosa Clubhouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2201
MONTECITO CLUBHOUSE | Daily | 6 AM – 10 PM
Santa Rosa Clubhouse Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 760-342-5976
Shadow Hills Golf Club South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2305 MONTECITO FITNESS CENTER | Daily | 5 AM – 8 PM
Shadow Hills Golf Club North . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2211 POOL HOURS | Daily | 5 AM – 10 PM
Shadows Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2311
Children’s Pool Hours (Ages 4-16)
Jefferson Front Gate (Phases 1 & 2) . . . . . . . 760-345-4458
Avenue 40 Front Gate (Phase 3) . . . . . . . . . . 760-342-4725 Montecito Outdoor Pool | 2 PM – 5 PM
Tyler Ingle, General Manager Santa Rosa Pool | 9 AM – 12 PM
tyler.ingle@associa.us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2102 SANTA ROSA CLUBHOUSE | Daily | 6 AM – 9 PM
Vanessa Ayon, Assistant General Manager
vanessa.ayon@associa.us. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2106 SHADOWS RESTAURANT | See page 33
Tuey Paiyarat, Safety Director GOLF SNACK BAR | Daily | 6 AM – 1 PM
somphob.paiyarat@associa.us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2202
SANTA ROSA BISTRO | Daily | 6 AM – 1 PM
Jesse Barragan, Facilities Maintenance Director
jesse.barragan@associa.us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2403 MONTECITO CAFÉ | Closed
Connie King, Lifestyle Director All hours are subject to change.
connie.king@associa.us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2124
Julie Henley, Fitness Director
julie.henley@associa.us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2112
Liz Gutierrez, Lifestyle Coordinator
elizabeth.gutierrez@associa.us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2123
THE VIEW
THE VIEW is published monthly by the
Veronica Moya, Lifestyle Coordinator
Sun City Shadow Hills Community Association.
veronica.perez@associa.us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2122 This publication is copyrighted and may not be reproduced
Gus Ramirez, Communications Manager or reprinted without the written permission of SCSHCA.
gus.ramirez@associa.us. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2204
Rolland Vaughn, GM of Shadow Hills Golf Club MISSION STATEMENT
To promote the community and recognize the individuals
rmvaughn@troon.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2301
who contribute to the identity of the community, and to impart
SCSH Community Association Board of Directors information relevant to the community as a whole.
John MacDonnell, President THE VIEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE
john.macdonnell@scshca.com Dennis Sheehan, Chair; Linda Aasen; Beth Bolduc;
Johnny Goodrum, Vice President Arnold Choy; George Erhart; Bob Firring; Julie Harris;
johnny.goodrum@scshca.com Aggie Jordan; Art Nemiroff; Ralph Olson; Gina Pollack;
Moira MacLeod-Foster, Treasurer Lee Powell; Vicki Prince; Judi Sorensen; Steve Talbot
moira.macleod-foster@scshca.com
STAFF
Fera Mostow, Secretary
Editor-in-Chief | Tyler Ingle, General Manager
fera.mostow@scshca.com
Production Manager | Gus Ramirez, Communications Manager
Carey Thompson, Member at Large
To inquire about articles, content, and advertising
carey.thompson@scshca.com
– or to submit stories for publication –
For warranty or customer service needs concerning please email view@scshca.com or contact
your home, please email: socalservice@delwebb.com Gus Ramirez, Communications Manager,
at 760-345-4349, ext. 2204.
2 | March 2022
NEWS FROM THE BOARD |
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
JOHN MACDONNELL | PRESIDENT
At the October 2021 Board meeting, your 5-member Your Board of Directors did not take this action
Board, by a unanimous vote, authorized establishing the lightly. SCSH is faced with a very costly Coachella
new Capital Improvement Fund account of $1.5 million. Valley Water District (CVWD) Flood Channel Project.
All homeowners need to know why we took this step We first brought this project to your attention via two
and the information that led us to this decision. town hall meetings held in the Montecito Ballroom on
Your Board’s first concern is to protect Sun City July 8 and July 12, 2021. You can view the videos at
Shadow Hills and every homeowner from future https://www.scshca.com/cvwd.
assessments because of major projects that are coming The proposal to create the Capital Improvement
up. The money in the new fund belongs to all of us, Fund out of funds already assessed and currently in our
and NOT ONE PENNY OF IT HAS BEEN SPENT. It is operating fund surplus was reviewed and investigated
in the bank in a separate account so that we can keep by our Financial Advisory Committee, outside legal
track of it. All of it will be used for necessary major counsel, and our independent auditors. After receiving
projects. And let me assure you that the actions your their comments, the Board reviewed all the information
Board took comply with our CC&Rs, Section 4.3.2. and voted on how to proceed.
CVWD Flood Channel Project
continued…
March 2022 | 3
THE VIEW | www.scshca.com …continued After due diligence, the Financial Advisory And why do we have to pay? Because Pulte, the Committee prepared a Board Action Form SCSH builder/developer, had to agree that a flood recommending that the Association transfer $1.5 – $2 control channel would run through the property in million from the Operating Fund into a new Capital order to get approval to build the Sun City Shadow Improvement Fund. The Board then consulted our Hills development. So, we inherited this, and have no outside CPA (Wayne Carlsen), and he advised that the choice. I urge you to watch the Town Hall video if you Association could move the funds from the Operating have not already done so. Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund with no tax Both Sun City Palm Desert and Sun City Shadow consequences. Hills are affected by this flood control channel. CVWD Your Board asked outside legal counsel to advise us has already started construction along Avenue 40 to about the legality of creating a Capital Improvement Adams Street, which you can see. CVWD is paying for Fund from surplus funds already assessed and that. On our property, CVWD will pay for rebuilding contained within the operating surplus. Legal counsel Pond #1 at the corner of Jefferson and 40th Street. But advised that such an action complies with our we must pay for all other flood control improvements governing documents. along that proposed channel. So why did the Board even consider this action? These improvements are very costly and necessary What would the money be used for? Soon we will be to protect the Jefferson Street entry and roadway forced by CVWD to participate in an extremely costly overpass over the North Channel to Phases I and II. multi-year rebuilding project here in Sun City Shadow We need the $1.5 million Capital Improvement Fund. Hills. This is a MANDATORY PROJECT, and we are Although this is called a CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT, it responsible for the cost of much of what will be is actually a CAPITAL NECESSITY. done on our property to bring us into compliance with The project starts now with Pond #2, which is on the current flood plain standards. right as you drive out the Jefferson gate on the north 4 | March 2022
NEWS FROM THE BOARD |
side of the bridge. Pond #2 must be completely
removed, and the pipes supplying water to the entire
golf course must be rerouted from Pond #1 to Pond
#3. Pond #2 will be filled with dirt and covered with
sod, and new irrigation lines will be installed. Just the
reconstruction at Pond #2 will cost approximately
$250,000. This is a capital expense that will be funded
from the Capital Improvement Fund.
Additionally, we will need to build a road from
Avenue 40 down into the North Channel so that
debris removal vehicles can access this area during
any flood event. This additional estimated cost is
approximately $150,000. We are likely to face these
expenses this year.
At a future date, the bridge at the Jefferson Gate
will have to be retrofitted at a substantial cost to
protect it from being washed out and collapsing
during a potential flood event. These costs could well
exceed $1 million according to current preliminary
estimates, and these costs will also have to be funded
from the Capital Improvement Fund if we have
enough money in the fund at that time.
Hopefully, all of these necessary expenditures
will not require an additional assessment upon LOOK FOR THEIR INFORMATIONAL
homeowners. Facing these significant expenses, your ADS ON PAGES 57–62.
Board decided (in a unanimous vote) that giving the
surplus operating funds back to homeowners now was
imprudent because this would likely lead to a special
assessment upon homeowners in the future.
Please understand that no money in this fund has
yet been spent. Nothing from the fund is earmarked
to pay for any improvements to Shadows; nothing
has been allocated for the completion of any future Next Board Meeting:
projects that might involve the five-acre parcel
acquired from Pulte, despite what some homeowners Date: Monday, March 28
have suggested.
As your President, I have always shared Time: 2:00 pm
straightforward information with you. I know this is a
lot of data about a very important topic. We will keep Location: Ballroom
bringing you more information as the longer-term
planning continues. Please join us!
Please attend Board meetings and listen to the
podcasts to stay informed.
Contact the author at john.macdonnell@scshca.com.
March 2022 | 5
THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
TREASURER’S REPORT
Meet a Board Member
Thursday, March 10, 3 pm · Montecito Clubhouse Capistrano Room
Come by and introduce yourself to Johnny Goodrum, Vice President of your HOA Board.
He wants to hear what you like about our community and if you have any concerns.
6 | March 2022
NEWS FROM THE BOARD |
March 2022 | 7
THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
ADVISORY COMMITTEES
CITY DEVELOPMENT COORDINATING COMMITTEE
citydevelopment@scshca.com
Chair: Evan Morris
COVENANTS COMMITTEE
covenants@scshca.com
Co-Chairs: Toni Caylor & Mary Lou Phillips
DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
designreview@scshca.com
Chair: Agi Kessler
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE
epsc@scshca.com
PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR LIVES BETTER Chair: Jeff Kirkpatrick
Veronica Moya Perez FACILITIES & SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
facilities.services@scshca.com
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH Chair: John Petersen
This month we are recognizing Veronica Moya Perez FINANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
for the praise we received from residents, who have finance@scshca.com
overwhelmingly commented positively on Veronica’s Chair: Larry Helseth
coordinating of excursions. Here is what two of our
FOOD & BEVERAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
residents shared with us regarding their experience:
foodbeverage@scshca.com
“Veronica takes great pride in planning excursions.
Chair: Kathy Lindstrom
She is always looking for new and exciting adventures.
She listens to the residents’ requests about the type of GOLF ADVISORY COMMITTEE
trips they enjoy and plans accordingly. golf@scshca.com
What a fabulous day. Jeff, the tour guide, knew so Chair: Dennis Hooper
much about Los Angeles and the areas we were going HEALTH & FITNESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
through. His commentary certainly added to the trip. healthfitness@scshca.com
Great choice of restaurant because the service was Chair: Toni Caylor
excellent and quick—I assume they knew we were on
INFORMATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
a strict timeline. Not only was the meal delicious, the
information@scshca.com
three desserts were out of this world. If you have not
Chair: Chrystie Adams
yet had the chance, plan a trip to one of Fogo de Chão’s
locations. I normally do not eat dessert; however, the LANDSCAPE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Key lime pie, chocolate cheesecake, and the New York landscape@scshca.com
cheesecake were excellent. Some were wondering how Chair: Chris Stevens
to get it back to the bus! LIFESTYLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
A big thanks to Veronica for a great job of keeping lifestyles@scshca.com
us on track and organized. Veronica is very caring and, Chair: Pamela Castro-Lee
watching from afar, she made sure a couple of single SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
women were being taken care of. The ice-cold water safety@scshca.com
on the bus ride back was the icing on the cake after a
Chair: Jeff Kirkpatrick
long but fun day.
Thanks again for all that you and your team do for the THE VIEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE
community. Looking forward to more fun events.” viewcommittee@scshca.com
~ Linda and Gord Jamieson Chair: Dennis Sheehan
Thank you, Veronica, for keeping the residents of Sun
City Shadow Hills on the move! Interested in joining a Committee? Stop by the HOA
office and fill out an Advisory Committee Interest Form.
8 | March 2022
ASSOCIATION NEWS |
Design Review Committee (DRC)
BY AGI KESSLER | CHAIR
Exterior Lighting
Questions arise from time to time regarding outdoor purposes. It must be removed five (5) days after the
lighting, a common one being, “If it is OK to have holidays per Design Rules, Sections 4.14.3 and 4.18.
these lights in the common areas, why not in The DRC receives the most questions about outdoor
my yard?” Different rules apply to common areas lighting covered in Design Rules Section 4.15.4:
and homeowner lots. The Design Rules apply to String Lighting (Rear Patios Only): String lighting on
homeowner lots. rear patios will be considered on a case-by-case basis
When considering making any improvements/ by the DRC. Lighting must be installed inside the
changes to the exterior of the homeowner lot, your structure’s covered patio. String lights on rear patios
guide must be the Design Rules, which can be found are subject to the following provisions:
online at www.scshca.com/designrules. Additionally, • They must comply with 4.16.1 Exterior Lighting and
the staff in the HOA office are your go-to resource to may not exceed 450 lumens total illumination for the
answer your questions. entire back yard.
Outdoor lighting should be aesthetically pleasing, • Lighting must be installed wholly inside the patio
and must not cause unreasonable glare to neighbor structure.
properties, as defined in the Design Rules, Section • No lighting will be permitted which causes glare to
4.15 and its subsections. When considering changing neighboring owners, neighborhoods, or any common
the garage lights, visit the HOA office and review the area.
acceptable light fixtures before submitting an HIA • Must be outdoor approved lights only.
(Home Improvement Application). This will streamline • The only colors allowed are clear, white, or amber
the process and give you great ideas to choose from. lights.
By now, we hope everyone has removed all • A maximum of 40 bulbs is permitted, subject to the
decorative string and/or icicle lighting permitted only restriction of total illumination.
during the December holidays for decorating Contact the author at designreview@scshca.com.
Interested in Joining a Committee?
Stop by the HOA Office and fill out an
Advisory Committee Interest Form.
March 2022 | 9
THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
SUN CITY SHADOW HILLS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Emergency Preparedness Sub-Committee (EPSC)
BY JEFF KIRKPATRICK | CHAIR
…And The Survey Said? – Part 2 of 3 before the quake knocks you down and hurts you.
A recent survey of 75 Sun City Shadow Hills residents Move on hands and knees toward a table or other
asked them to voice concerns they might have about sturdy piece of furniture to hide under. Get under it
emergency preparedness given our proximity to the and cover your neck/head with one hand and hold
San Andreas Fault. We learned folks have very onto the furniture with the other. Furniture walks
real concerns and demonstrated a surprising lack of in a quake – so move with it. If there’s no furniture
near where you are, move to an interior wall away
preparedness for serious emergencies within our
from windows. Do not stand in a doorway! This is a
community.
fallacy!
1. Does the EPC recommend owning firearms? The
6. The banks are closed. The ATMs aren’t working.
EPC and the HOA take no position on this.
Prepare ahead of time and have a supply of cash
2. Do I shut my gas off? Do not shut off your gas
in small bills stashed in a secure hiding place
valve/meter unless you can smell natural gas inside
within your home. Restrict knowledge of its location
or outside your home. If you do smell gas, then yes,
to only your most trusted folks. The amount is up
shut off the gas. Only the gas company should
to you.
reactivate your gas!
7. Where can we get help if we have not made any
3. Can I use my cell phone to call out? Maybe. Yes, if
preparations? The experts tell us you will be on your
the cellphone system remains functional. However,
own if you’ve failed to prepare! Take the Emergency
everyone making voice calls at the same time will Preparedness 101 seminar as soon as possible and
clog the system. Texting is much better because it learn how to be prepared.
takes fewer system resources to be efficient. 8. How long will it take for emergency vehicles to
4. How do I reach someone for help if I or someone arrive? Really, who knows?! It will depend on their
in my household is injured? First, try calling 9-1-1. availability; roadway conditions; call load; and a
Then call our security. If that doesn’t work, travel to host of other factors. Plan that they will not be
a Security Gate House and talk to an officer. Affix available.
your Red Card to a street-facing window and stand 9. Dogs are running around, what should we do?
outside until a Windshield Survey Team member Avoid them. Report them to the EOC, and trained
comes by. Finally, get to the Emergency Operations volunteers will try to capture them. Just like people,
Center on Sun City Boulevard between the or worse, pets will be very panicky after a large
Montecito tennis courts and the golf course. EPC quake. Captured pets can be retrieved at the EOC.
volunteers there will assist if they can. 10. My toilets are not working, can you help me? No,
5. What do I do when the quake hits? Drop, Cover, but you can help yourself. Keep a five-gallon
and Hold On! If you sense the earthquake coming, bucket handy and know where a water source is
get down on the floor/ground as soon as possible and, with permission, fill the bucket and pour it
10 | March 2022ASSOCIATION NEWS |
into the tank behind your toilet, then flush. The Emergency Preparedness 101 seminar to learn
toilet won’t refill until water service is restored. how to be self-sufficient before a disaster strikes.
Repeat. “If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, 13. Is there a protocol for sewage control if/when the
flush it down!” sewer system is damaged and/or water supply is
11. Is there any protocol for homeowners with home cut off? No. But you can practice short-term
medical equipment requirements who don’t have measures to deal with this. Store drinking/hygiene
generators? No. Folks needing power for medical water ahead of time: one gallon per person,
equipment must plan ahead and invest in portable per day (two gallons during the summer). Keep a
power sources on their own, for xample, small five-gallon bucket, disposable plastic trash bags,
generators, medical battery packs, electrical and several gallons of kitty litter handy. Line the
inverters, battery power stations, solar panels, and bucket with the bag, pour an absorbent quantity
others. of litter into the bag/bucket bottom. Take care of
12. Is there a protocol for community disbursement business and cover it with more litter. Repeat.
of food, water? No. The HOA has no legal When full, tie the bag shut and store it outdoors
responsibility to provide food and water to until it can be properly disposed of.
residents and has no plans to do so. We
encourage residents to take the free-of-charge Contact the author at epsc@scshca.com.
From The Library
BY CINDY DEGRAF
Searching for a pot of gold? You may get lucky and find one at the end of
a great book that you can pick up in our Montecito library. We have all kinds
of wonderful stories in both paperback and hardcover, including fiction,
nonfiction, historical, and biographical. Be sure to check frequently.
We love your donations but can only take in certain types of books, as
library space is limited. Please check the list below to see what we accept.
Be sure your books are in excellent condition, and bring in no more than 10
books per month. Too many books at once can be difficult to process.
We Accept as Donations: We Do Not Accept:
4 Hardcover and paperback fiction, historical/political, 8 Cooking, sports, self-help, or “how to” books
biographies/autobiographies 8 Coffee table or picture books
4 Audio books and DVDs 8 Religious or travel books
4 Recent magazines 8 VCR tapes or music CDs
Please pay attention to any precautions that are in place in the clubhouse. Contact Barbara Perler at
760-772-4484 or baramp@verizon.net if you have any questions or comments about the library.
Thank you to all who support us!
March 2022 | 11THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
Food & Beverage Advisory Committee
BY KATHY LINDSTROM | CHAIR
Shadows Survey Results – January 2022 Question #4: Which meals do you eat at a restaurant?
Breakfast 49% 14%
Below are the results of the January 2022 Shadows
Lunch 72% 36%
resident survey. The purpose of the survey was to obtain
Dinner 83% 46%
demographic information and trends for residents to
Happy Hour 54% 61%
participate in focus groups. The survey was issued to
the community through the weekly Monday eblast by Question #5: How often do you eat at Shadows?
Survey Monkey on January 3 and was closed on More than once a week 10% 12%
2-3 times a month 30% 24%
January 15. A hard copy of the survey was also printed
Once a month 20% 22%
in the community View magazine and was issued on
Once every 3 months 28% 15%
January 1 with a closing date of January 15.
Never 12% 0
Responses were received from 508 residents
(including 50 paper hard copies). More than 250 Question #6: Which times have you eaten the most at
Shadows? Check all that apply.
residents volunteered to participate in focus groups to
Breakfast 36%
discuss actions to improve Shadows and our SCSH
Lunch 50%
food and beverage services. The focus groups will
Dinner 44%
begin meeting in February 2022 for small-group
Happy Hour 11%
discussions to obtain resident ideas.
Theme Nights 19%
The 2022 results were compared to the 2013 paper
Question #7: Why don’t you eat at Shadows?
pencil survey mailed to the community with HOA
A prior bad experience 15%
billings about Shadows and food services. From
I cook most of my meals 21%
November 21 through December 13, 2013, 820
I have other favorite restaurants 30%
responses were received. The results appear below in
I can’t get a reservation 3%
red next to the 2022 results. Many answers from the I never think of Shadows first as a place to eat 31%
two surveys are very similar.
Question #8: How would you rate the food at Shadows
Restaurant compared to other restaurants in the area?
Contact the author at foodbeverage@scshca.com.
Excellent 6% 4%
Very Good 27%
Good 34% 49%
Question #1: Do you live in SCSH? Fair 28%
Full Time 78% 79% Poor 5% 46%
Part Time 22% 21% Question #9: How would you rate the value of eating at
Question #2: How long have you lived in SCSH? Shadows Restaurant?
2 years or less 20% 36% Excellent 6%
3-5 years 20% 19% Very Good 28%
5-10 years 28% 44% Good 35%
Over 10 years 32% 1% Fair 25%
Question #3: How often do you eat out at a restaurant? Poor 6%
More than once a week 48% 46% Question #10: Would you like to participate in a focus
2-3 times a month 42% 35% group of SCSH residents to assist in improving our
Once a month 8% 11% restaurant and enhancing our dining experience?
Once every 3 months 3% 3% Yes 52%
Never 1% 0 No 48%
12 | March 2022ASSOCIATION NEWS |
Safety Advisory Committee
BY JEFF KIRKPATRICK | CHAIR
Learn How to Protect Your Personal Financial Information
Learn How to Protect Yourself in the New Year
Protecting your personal financial information and
money is important to you. It’s a top priority for your
bankers and fiduciary custodians too, and they want
to make sure you have the tools and information
you need to protect yourself and avoid possible fraud
or scam.
What’s Happening
A fraudster can contact you any time of the year
by text message, phone, or email; and they may even
impersonate a representative from your banking
institution. They may ask for your personal financial
information, access to your computer, or a passcode.
They may tell you that they’ve noticed suspicious
activity, such as money being sent from your account up or don’t respond. Reach out to your banking
to another account and ask you to send money to institution directly on their website or phone number,
yourself using a facilitator service such as Zelle® to which you can easily find on the back of your debit
“reverse” the payment. This particular scam is on the or credit card or statement.
rise and is referred to as the “Pay Yourself” scam. Financial institutions take their responsibility to
These are just some examples of how fraudsters will protect your personal financial information seriously
try to obtain your personal financial information or and are dedicated to providing you with updated
scam you, but you can take steps to protect yourself. information regarding ways to protect yourself from
possible fraud and scams. Contact them if you have
What You Can Do
concerns about your accounts or need to report fraud.
• Do not share your PIN, passcode, text message
code, or any other access information to your
Attribution: Wells Fargo Alerts, Jan 13, 2022, 3:21 pm
accounts with anyone who requests it.
Subject: Protect Yourself from Fraud in the New Year
• Know that legitimate banking institutions will never
ask you to send money to anyone, including yourself,
to “reverse a transfer,” “receive a refund,” or anything Please be a good neighbor and do your
similar. part to contribute to community safety!
• Don’t rely on caller ID. Scammers can make calls, See something, say something!
texts, and emails look like they’re coming from or It really is quite easy!
imitating real companies.
• Ifyou feel uncomfortable or suspicious with any
request you receive by phone, text, or email, hang Contact the author at safety@scshca.com.
March 2022 | 13THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
OLD HAMS ARRIVES AT SUN CITY
SHADOW HILLS MARCH 17
STORY BY DENNIS SHEEHAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BETH BOLDUC
and an unexpected guest, the granddaughter of the
deceased actress and owner of the home, show up to
add life and uplifting fun to this delightful comedy.
The Performing Arts club began work on the play in
October 2021, with not only the 9 characters on stage
script-reading and memorizing lines, but 17 other
residents beginning the many tasks, including some
heavy lifting, that would bring this show to fruition. A
partial list of the crew members includes:
• Director: Jan Briggs
• Assistant Director/Stage Manager: Cathie van Blerk
• Producer: Earl Warner
There may be as many as 17 or more working • Cast Party: Annette Sevedge
components in the successful production of any play. • Construction: John Bennoch
It’s easy to conclude that auditioning and casting are • Costumes: Suzy Voss
two of the most important steps. Yet, perhaps the • Flyer Distribution: Jeff Moses
most crucial step is determining what play to select. • Green Room Refreshments: John & Colleen Crawford
What play might win the hearts and minds of our • Hair and Makeup: Teri Waters and Elaine Oswald
• House Managers: Donna and Gene Gambale
audience, the residents of this community?
• Lighting: Jean McKee
Fortunately, the Sun City Shadow Hills Performing Arts
• Program: Mary Gilliana
Club read playwright Bob Rinfret’s Old Hams and • Props: Shirlee Daidone
recognized this riotous work has something for us all, • Set Design: Marlys Costello
and they selected this play for production here well • Sound: Roy Rede
before March 2020. • Ticket Manager: Mary Moses
Produced by resident Earl Warner and directed by To give recent club members the opportunity to act,
resident Jan Briggs, Old Hams is set in the Ophelia L and offer fresh, new faces to our community, Director
Davis Home for Actors, Musicians, and Singers, where Briggs made it a point to audition club members with
some residents have been living for as long as 40 years. a view to casting people we have not yet seen on
The Davis home is a 20th century manor in Burbank, stage. She had 19 people read for each of the nine
doomed for extinction. It is scheduled to be replaced characters before deciding who would play each part.
by a 21st century shopping mall unless its cadre of Old Hams is age-appropriate and ideally suited to
retired entertainers can outwit Ms. Davis’ attorney and the Sun City Shadow Hills audience. See for yourself:
one or two people working on the inside. tickets are $15, on sale in the Montecito Clubhouse
Against these nearly insurmountable odds are lobby every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from
thrown the latent talents of all sorts of geriatric resident 10 am to 1 pm. All seating is reserved. You will be
performers, and er, patients. Among others, there is a thoroughly entertained!
former leading man who never could remember his
lines; a mystic whose seances produced not one nearly Contact the author at
accurate outcome; two elderly (and giddy) sisters, Iris djsheehan46@gmail.com.
and Rose; a man of 999 faces; and the home’s nurse, a
sinister character indeed. Fortunately, a young attorney
14 | March 2022FEATURE STORIES |
DISCOVER A COACHELLA VALLEY
HIDDEN HISTORICAL GEM!
BY ELLEN OWENS, MUSEUM DOCENT FOR STUDENT TOURS
The Coachella Valley History Museum, which seeks to practitioners in Indio. After the Society had raised
share the unique history of our desert and the pioneers sufficient funds and curated its collections, the museum
who forged through this difficult environment, is only finally opened its doors in October 1984.
a few short miles from our Sun City Shadow Hills Since then, the museum has been operated by an
community. A 1926 adobe home at the heart of the exceptional group of volunteers, some who have been
campus has been converted into a gallery with a with the institution since it began. Volunteers are always
variety of exhibits, including the Cahuilla Room that welcome to serve as docents, gift shop clerks, archive
highlights Native Americans who graced the Coachella assistants, school tour guides, gardeners, and leaders
Valley hundreds of years ago, a water and agricultural for children’s art and history programs.
room, heritage room, railroad room, an authentic The adobe home campus is located at 82-616 Miles
1920s kitchen, and a unique museum gift shop. Avenue, just east of Monroe Street. The museum is
open from 10 am to 4 pm on Monday, Friday, and
Saturday. Hours on Sunday are 1 pm to 4 pm. The tour
costs $8 for adults and $6 for seniors; active-duty
military and guests under 18 years old are free. The
museum is closed from June through September.
The surrounding grounds feature a blacksmith shop, Add a visit to the Coachella Valley History Museum
a unique “desert submarine” house, pioneer farming to your “must do” list of activities! You’re sure to learn
tools, a water tower, a historic 1909 schoolhouse a wealth of history about this area that is now home to
(Indio’s third school), and the world’s only Date so many Shadow Hills residents! You can find out more
Museum. A variety of beautiful gardens feature plants about this treasure in our midst by visiting their
that thrive in our desert environment as well as the website at www.cvhm.org (or calling 760-342-6651),
oldest cork oak tree in the Coachella Valley. where you can also learn about the special events they
In December 1965, a dedicated group of Valley hold on site, as well as venue rental for private events.
residents formed the Coachella Valley Historical
Society and began collecting artifacts and archives, Contact the author at
carefully watching over them until the museum became ellenaowens@verizon.net.
a reality. The Society worked with the City of Indio to
purchase the original adobe Smiley-Tyler House,
named after the doctor and dentist who were the first
March 2022 | 15THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
An artist’s rendering of the outside of the new arena
OUR AMAZING NEW SPORTS AND
ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
BY BOB FIRRING | PHOTOS COURTESY OF OAK VIEW GROUP
As you undoubtedly know, the market. As a private entity, there is and construction, Oak View
Acrisure (formerly Coachella Valley) little other information available provides arena management,
Arena is under construction next to about Acrisure. books entertainers and events,
the Classic Club at Varner Road Oak View Group is building the handles media and conferences,
and Cook Street. Its development new arena. Oak View was founded furnishes security, and generally
promises to help transform our in 2015 by Tim Leiweke and Irving conducts all other operations. In
valley from a golf and retirement Azoff, and it has already grown 2021 they signed a multi-year
mecca to a place where young into a global leader in sports and partnership with Ticketmaster to
people can advance their careers entertainment marketing. Oak View distribute tickets to the various
with a worldwide company that manages 34 of the top arenas and events. The goal is to market all the
focuses on almost all types of out- nine of the top stadiums in North arenas they operate to high-end
of-the-home entertainment. America. Some examples are the advertisers like Apple and Tesla
Over the past six months, the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, and to target affluent customers all
construction cost of the arena Madison Square Garden in New over the world.
surged from $300 to $400 million. York City, and the Cotton Bowl in The Acrisure Arena will be Oak
The owners are proud that they are Dallas. Oak View understands how View’s newest property. Ground
raising all this money privately good the at-home entertainment was broken last spring on a very
and just announced that Acrisure business has become. They know ambitious schedule, and the plan
has purchased the naming rights. they have to offer a special is to open the arena this October.
Acrisure is an insurance company experience to lure people out of So far Oak View claims it is
based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, their homes now, so they are unaffected by the well known
that claims to have grown revenues concentrating on providing lots of supply chain problems others are
from $38 million to $3 billion in less features that were not available facing.
than 10 years. The company says before the technology revolution. The arena’s main tenant will be
that California is its fastest growing In addition to overseeing design the Coachella Valley Firebirds, a
16 | March 2022FEATURE STORIES |
considered the most exciting sport rink for the hockey team. The
to watch in person. Television does developers hope to host events like
not do justice to its speed and family skating nights, figure skating
complexity. The action moves so championships, and NHL and
quickly that the typical line shift NBA pre-season games or training
only lasts 90 seconds or so, which camps. Look for e-sports to be
simply exhausts the players in that included in the schedule, too.
time. Unlike many other sports, The second part of the schedule
there is no standing around. includes major entertainment acts,
The arena’s designers are which are expected to perform on
focusing particularly on the interior more than 30 nights. Co-founder
spaces. Robert Norvell, the chief Irving Azoff has managed the
architect, wants to create a unique Eagles super-group for more than
ambiance that mixes desert 40 years along with many other
aesthetics with the Agua Caliente famous acts like Fleetwood Mac,
Tribe’s history and the valley’s Bon Jovi, and Lizzo. The arena will
Mid-Century Modernism past. address a problem that entertainers
The new team logos
Inspiration comes from landmarks face before they go on their world
minor league hockey affiliate of the like Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms tours: they have nowhere to do
Seattle Kraken. The season will home. full-scale dress rehearsals with the
feature 35 home games, plus The arena will seat 9,918 for attendant lighting and special
playoffs. In order to give the hockey and 11,679 for concerts. effects. Apartments are being built
developers a little breathing room, The lower bowl will accommodate at the arena so that acts can live
the team plans to open on the about 8,000. There will be 20 suites there for a week or so to work out
road and not hold its first home that can each seat 20 people, a the last-minute adjustments they
game until December. private club that can hold 145, a all make.
Our Canadian neighbors are pair of VIP clubs that can each fit The third leg of the stool will
excited that they will have a venue 80, and a premium concourse club be family-friendly events and
for their country’s most popular that seats 590. conferences like Disney on Ice for
sport right here in the valley. In addition to the arena, which more than 30 nights a year.
Casual fans will be interested to will be solar powered, there will The owners are also making a
learn that hockey is widely also be an attached practice ice commitment to our community by
sponsoring literacy reading and
roller hockey programs.
The Acrisure Arena will do lots to
raise the profile of our valley. Along
with the Coachella and Stagecoach
festivals, we are gaining worldwide
attention.
Contact the author at
rfirring@aol.com.
What the arena will look like during ice hockey games.
March 2022 | 17THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
JEFF KIRKPATRICK:
ON A MISSION TO KEEP US SAFE!
BY LINDA AASEN | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JEFF KIRPATRICK
Jeff Kirkpatrick and his wife Carolyn moved from later retired as Chief of Police for the Seal Beach Police
Fullerton to Sun City Shadow Hills in 2013 after he Department (Orange County). Jeff briefly came out of
retired from a long, distinguished law enforcement retirement to serve as Interim Chief of Police for
career. Jeff and Carolyn met in a church group while Desert Hot Springs with the responsibility to recruit a
in high school and married in 1976. Their daughter, permanent police chief for the city.
Jennifer, and her family, including two beautiful Jeff has worked virtually every assignment in law
grandchildren, live in nearby Costa Mesa. Carolyn enforcement, but his “fun” assignments included
retired from a successful career as the Human Resources being a SWAT counter-sniper and later SWAT team
Director for Golden West College in Orange County. leader; serving as department training officer; and
building cadres of volunteers, disaster preparedness
programs, and critical incident management.
As a SWAT commander, Jeff successfully managed
many critical incidents including hostage takeovers,
robberies, and narcotics incidents. Jeff led the
countywide SWAT strike team for the 1984 Olympic
venues in Orange County. He helped manage the
Jeff and Carolyn
tragic 1986 Aero México mid-air collision over La
Kirkpatrick Palma and Cerritos, CA, and led strike teams to South
Central Los Angeles during the 1992 Los Angeles
riots. Jeff also supervised responses to earthquakes,
major pursuits and collisions, plus wildfires and major
structure conflagrations. Beginning in 2005, he also
Jeff was an “Air Force brat” until his father retired oversaw tsunami and earthquake preparedness along
from the USAF. While his dad served, Jeff (born in the Orange County coastline.
Anchorage, Alaska) lived in a variety of locations along
with his two younger brothers and absorbed different
cultures and opportunities along the way: Tacoma,
WA; Charleston, WV; Washington D.C.; Tachikawa,
Japan; Charleston, SC; Panama City, Panama; and
Huntington Beach, CA. After high school Jeff became
an avid downhill skier and competed as an amateur ski
racer in local NASTAR races.
Jeff at the
While attending community college, Jeff worked as
FBI National
Disneyland Anaheim’s Main Street Foreman for several Academy
years before choosing a career in law enforcement,
where he held every rank. He first supervised the
Disneyland Hotel Security Department; was a Special
Agent with the Santa Fe Railway Police Department in
Los Angeles; served for 28 years in the La Palma Police While in Orange County, Jeff co-founded the
Department (Orange County); and was appointed and Orange County Police Training Managers Association
18 | March 2022FEATURE STORIES |
and developed it to become a benchmark used by residents, and he is constantly recruiting members for
many California counties and law enforcement training the team. As a FEMA-certified instructor, Jeff trains
officers. He became a curricula developer for the team members in CERT skills; basic first aid; CPR;
California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and “Stop-The-Bleed”; incident command system and
Training (CalPOST), and he also chaired the police windshield survey team skills; the operation of our
officer recruiting consortium for the Orange County portable generators; and measures to protect our
Police Chief’s’ Association. homes against a multitude of different hazards.
Jeff developed community-wide Neighborhood Jeff also served as a member of the Landscape
Watches, Community Emergency Response Teams Advisory Committee. He now Chairs our Ad Hoc
(CERT), and disaster preparedness programs in La Committee studying the feasibility of creating a “for-
Palma and Seal Beach. He designed and conducted profit” RV storage facility and buildings to house our
readiness training for city staff, residents, and Security Department, landscape storage, and standing
businesspeople in both communities. In Seal Beach, Emergency Operations Center.
Jeff assembled a team of 300 volunteers to assist the Outside SCSH, Jeff was a member of the City of
police department and community. He also organized Indio’s Citizen’s Financial Advisory Commission. He
the West Orange County CERT collaboration between currently serves on the Indio Police Chief’s Citizen
eight contiguous Orange County cities, which included Advisory Commission and is also a Governing Board
over 200 CERT-certified members trained and ready member for the John F. Kennedy Hospital in Indio.
to deploy to any of those cities.
Jeff earned a BA (University of San Francisco) and
Master’s (Cal State Dominquez Hills) in sociology, plus
a Master’s in police management (University of Virginia/
FBI National Academy). He also graduated from several
of the foremost national police educational programs
including the FBI Southwest Command College; the
USC Delinquency Control Institute; the FBI Law
Enforcement Executive Leadership Institute; and the
FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Jeff holds
a California Community College Lifetime Teaching
Credential and taught for many years at several
Orange County colleges.
A recipient of the Police Medal of Valor for his Jeff exchanging challenge coins with Admiral & Chairman
actions in Orange County’s largest bank robbery of the Joint Chiefs Mike McMullen
shootout, Jeff was twice chosen Police Officer of the In his “spare” hours, Jeff and Carolyn spend as much
Year. He also earned the California Association of time as possible with their two grandchildren. Before
Tactical Officers Police Executive of the Year Award the current pandemic, the couple traveled widely
along with many other commendations. including Alaska, Mexico, Scandinavia, Hawaii, the
We are greatly fortunate that Jeff volunteers as chair Panama Canal, and throughout the U.S.
of our community’s Safety Advisory Committee and Thank you, Jeff, for your many contributions to our
Emergency Preparedness Sub-Committee. Jeff and community and for your efforts to keep us all safe!
his team of EPSC volunteers built the current SCSH
Emergency Operations Center, and they work with a
large cadre of specially trained resident volunteers Contact the author at
to respond to their neighbors in urgent times of laasen3730@aol.com.
emergency and disaster. Jeff regularly teaches our
HOA’s FREE Emergency Preparedness-101 seminar for
March 2022 | 19THE VIEW | www.scshca.com
MY CHARMED LIFE: THE CABIN
BY BILL DUNN
We are publishing this story everyone finished bathing, the tub was turned over
in honor of our friend and and the water ran through a hole in the floor.
contributing writer, Bill Dunn. When we began construction, my mother’s dad found
Bill passed away unexpectedly the pine logs at a log farm in southern Oklahoma and
in December. May the had them trucked to the farm. They arrived with the
“wonderful dreams” of his bark on and had to be debarked. Then they mildewed
life story live forever. and had to be cleaned with cases of Clorox. The
construction was memorable. The workers were mostly
Mr. Eitzman, the family carpenter; my grandfather; and
Until I became much older, I didn’t realize how lucky other local laborers. None of them had ever built a log
I was growing up in Tulsa and rural Oklahoma. There cabin. Dad created the design based on what he had
are several places that were especially important to seen on the big trip. The floor plan was basically the
me and the source of many wonderful childhood same as the old cabin but larger, and the fireplace
memories. One of them was our family’s log cabin. remained in the same place but was also enlarged.
During my childhood, I spent many wonderful Dick was our big black work horse. He plowed
summers and weekends on our farm, which was about vegetable gardens and with Nellie, the other half of
20 miles from our home in Tulsa. On the farm, there the team, hauled wagon loads of loose hay and kids
was a cabin situated next to a beautiful lake. We didn’t around on hayrides. They would take Dick to the log
take vacation trips. My dad worked six days a week at pile and hitch him to a log and take it to the cabin.
his furniture store and, on most Sundays, we went to Dick walked through every inch of the new cabin!
the farm. The family spent many summers there, and After the logs were notched, it took every man to lift
Dad would commute to the store during the week. them into place. Then they were nailed together with
However, when I was nine, we took a long trip to huge spikes.
Colorado, Wyoming, and Yellowstone National Park.
Motels were scarce back then, and we stayed in many
private homes that took in tourists. Several were log
construction, and we all became enamored with log
cabins. My parents decided on that trip to replace our
old falling-down cabin by the lake with a log cabin.
The original cabin was nearly primitive. It had
electricity and running water pumped from the lake,
in addition to a well with a pump. However, the toilet
was an outhouse and the cook stove a coal or wood-
burning stove. There was another stove and a nice
fireplace in the living room for heat. The cookstove
was about 10 feet from the outside wall where you
entered the cabin and provided a warm space for the
“bathing facility,” which was a tin washtub. The water
was heated in a water reservoir in the cook stove, then
dipped out into the tub. Since I was the smallest one
in the family and seven years younger than my sister,
I got second or even third-use bathwater. When
20 | March 2022FEATURE STORIES |
After the construction was complete, a huge number cocktail sauce, and she made some into gumbo.
of nails were hammered into the spaces between She also cooked the fish we caught and made hush
the logs to hold the concrete chinking. The nails were puppies. My two sons were in heaven. They loved the
purchased by the keg. The concrete would shrink, farm and lake activities plus eating Chloe’s cooking.
leaving a gap which was filled by hammering oakum They fished until dark and ate fish until it came out
into it with a chisel. Then it was caulked, and the their ears.
chinking painted white. In Tulsa, I grew up next door to a renowned portrait
The masonry work on the fireplace and other areas and landscape painter named Claude Montgomery,
was performed by two Cherokee masons from the who was my very good friend. His daughter Nancy was
Tahlequah area. My dad asked them to bring me some a childhood friend and is now a wonderful email
sofkey. This is a corn and lye drink made by all the Five correspondent. He painted a picture of the cabin on
Civilized Tribes. I remember having lunch with them an incredibly beautiful fall day, one of those rare
by the lakeside and all of us drinking the cool sofkey Oklahoma days when the air is like champagne and
from a quart fruit jar. It was wonderful. They also the fall colors of yellow, gold, and bronze are radiant.
brought a black locust bow with arrows that they made That painting is over the mantle in our living room. In
just for me. the wintertime, I sit in there with my son, he lights a
The cabin was finally finished and beautifully fire in the fireplace, and we reminisce about the farm.
furnished with wagon wheel furniture. It was a work of He came to love it as much as I do, and together we
art. My mother hosted many family dinners, which look at that beautiful log cabin painting and dream
sometimes included fried fish from the lake. Fourth of wonderful dreams.
July was special. Cousins and friends came, and we
shot off firecrackers during the day. There was a big
dinner on the screen porch with fresh corn on the cob,
green beans, and huge ripe tomatoes from the garden,
topped off with hand-cranked fresh peach custard ice
cream. At night we would all gather by the dam and
watch my dad shoot off fireworks over the lake.
I used to sleep on the screen porch in the summer,
listening to the many night sounds including owl
hoots, cricket chirps, and tree frog songs. My favorite
activity was fishing on the lake with my dad. He taught
me to cast an open-face casting reel and eventually to
avoid backlash. He taught me how to fly rod cast and
I enjoyed using flies and catching a perch with almost
every cast. I have a picture of me at a very young age
with a 7-lb. bass about my size, my first big catch. I
think the best part, however, was just being with my
dad and learning from him. He was a master fisherman
and a master dad.
One summer, years later, my Aunt Chloe and Uncle
Charles came from Corpus Christi and spent a week at
the cabin with me and my two sons, Bill and John. I
taught the boys to fish, and we fished nonstop. Once Contact the author’s wife, Janice,
John caught a 7-lb. bass, the only fish from the lake to at dunn4355@gmail.com.
be mounted. It’s on the wall at our place in Big Bear.
Aunt Chloe brought a lot of shrimp. We ate some with
March 2022 | 21THE VIEW | www.scshca.com WHAT’S YOUR REAL NAME? BY AGGIE JORDAN As I began to write my life’s journey, my thoughts on a nickname, or a logo name, J-DL, Inc. turned to how many times a woman changes her For 21 years, I wrote a name with 26 strokes, Mary name. I’ve had a moniker for each stage of my life. Agnes Jordan-DeLaurenti. Imagine signing that on Most of us start out in this world with two names as checks! Of course, when I sold the company I dissed did I: Aggie, my nickname that my family called me that epithet, and officially took on my birth name. from birth, and a baptismal designate, Mary Agnes It didn’t take long, though, before I had another Jordan. The latter is still the handle on my license, tax name, a nom de plume. Broadway Books made it returns, social security, and bank statements. Well, not official. They put Aggie Jordan, Ph.D., on the cover of quite, the credit cards drop the middle name. I also The Marriage Plan. I’m not even sure it’s legitimate to had a confirmation name, Christina, which I have never tag Ph.D. to a nickname, but they did it. used. Then I joined the convent and I got a nun’s title, So how many names have you officially? If you are a Sister M. Clara. I was no longer a person with a family. male, probably one, or maybe two, unless you’re in Officially I was just a nun with no past. the witness protection program. But if In the late 60s, my convent name you’re female and married more than changed back to my family name once, you definitely have a line of for a short time but with Sister tags. still preceding it. When I left I wonder if the FBI has an the convent, I dropped the accounting of all my official Sister. By the way, all these names with change dates. I are names on official know the IRS seems to be documents. No aliases. able to find me. When I Or were they? was a protesting nun Then in 1974, I married during the Vietnam war Robert DeLaurenti and, and a graduate student, I like many women, I refused to pay the Federal wondered if I should change phone tax which was set up my name to my husband’s to pay for the Vietnam war. name. I had not made up my The IRS did eventually catch up mind, but the company I was with me. working for in Orlando changed it for One good thing about having a me. I soon got a paycheck with number of names is when I get those DeLaurenti. They even sent in a change to the marketing calls: “Is Mary there?”, I truthfully just Feds, so soon I had a social security card with say, “Sorry. Nobody here by that name.” If they don’t that name on it. I was not happy. I wanted my name ask for Aggie, I don’t want to talk to them. back, so I filled out all that paperwork to tell the Feds that was a big mistake. Done. I was back to my Contact the author at original name. aggiejordan@gmail.com. Shortly after we moved to Texas and I started my training company, I hired a lawyer who decided we should name the company Jordan-DeLaurenti, Inc. And further that I should hyphenate my name. Hyphenation was the thing then in the late 70s, so I went along with it. Eventually even the company took 22 | March 2022
FEATURE STORIES |
THE MUSICIAN’S DANCE
BY BARA ROSENHECK
As the lights dimmed, the five men took their positions
on stage. They paused, motionless silhouettes, waiting
for the muted audience chatter to cease. Slowly the
stage lights brightened their appearance, and there
was a quiet stillness before the music began.
The jazz was quick, lively, and rhythmic. The notes
and cadence pulsed through the theatre inspiring
feelings of freedom and movement. The music ignited
toe-tapping animation, and many in the room were
energized by the sound. The musical bursts of
dynamism produced an atmosphere of excitement.
And yet, there was a stillness on the stage.
The pianist, seated with his back to the audience, from it. When the music demanded, his body would
seemed almost immovable. The only observable swing and oscillate with each musical phrase.
motion was this hint of movement from his hands. Each time the volume increased, he would strike the
Frozen in that position, he remained stationary. Seated appropriate bars, not only with a downward thrust of
nearby, the drummer triggered thundering explosions the mallets, but with what looked like a full body blow.
from his instruments but was rooted behind the drum Starting in an upright, straight-as-an-arrow posture, this
set. The drumsticks moved rapidly, but his body was musician would bend at the waist and powerfully strike
still. His outstretched arms, reaching for a cymbal, only the required notes with swift yet graceful movements
occasionally changed his position. that were agile and elegant. His dance continued and,
The two guitarists were in close proximity, one seated, as he was framed in the spotlight, his body changed
the other standing. Both were sedentary, with limited position as each musical phrase dictated.
mobility; only their hands were visible, strumming or Carl Rigoli danced to every piece performed. His
plucking each string. choreography changed to accommodate the mood of
But ho — the musician playing the vibraphone was each one. Whenever there was a brief hiatus in his
alive with effervescence and spirit! He stood by his playing, still he danced on, gracefully and smoothly
percussion instrument and danced. At times, the dance moving in his seat behind the vibraphone. Then, with
was slow; and he lovingly touched the tuned metal bars a light touch, he selected the mallets needed for his
gently with the mallets. He’d lean in and softly caress upcoming notes and returned to his former stance.
each bar and glide his hands over the surface and Before striking the bars, he held the mallets almost like
quiet the resonator tube and butterfly valve. His hips batons, and then slowly, with fluid and diminutive
would move into the frame, and his body swayed with movements, placed them in the proper position in
his movement. Next he’d glide into another step, each hand.
placing a foot on the sustain pedal, controlling the Listening to good music is a joy, but nothing
vibration of the damped strings. compares to seeing it performed. At that moment I re-
His arms were in constant motion, at times gracefully alized: he is not only a musician; he is a dancer!
arching high into the air and waving in anticipation of
hitting the next gleaming aluminum bar. As he raised
first one and then the other arm, he would rock and Contact the author at
then list from side to side, swaying as the music carried baracuda2@icloud.com.
him. As the melody reached a crescendo, he’d bend
into the instrument, head forward, and then retreat
March 2022 | 23You can also read
