President's Corner

The front gate

A number of residents have complained that security at the front gate was somewhat lax. As a result, Interim CEO Paul Donner and I met with officials at Securitas and, effective immediately, security at the gate has been tightened up.

Residents who do not have a current bar code on their car and go through one of the visitors' gates will be asked to show their picture Rossmoor ID. Residents who don't have an ID will be asked to show a driver's license. This is, of course, for the security of the valley, so please don't argue with the guard when he asks you to prove who you are. Similarly, your guests will not be admitted unless authorized. If you are expecting guests who do not have a bar code on their cars or who are not on the permanent guest list, please make sure the front gate is notified.

When you go through one of the two gates on the right, if the barcode is invalid, the gate will not go up, but information regarding why the barcode is invalid will show on a guard's computer. If it has just recently expired, the guard will manually open the gate for you. But if it has been cancelled, invalid for another reason, or the scanner has not read the barcode, please expect a guard to come around and ask for identification. In addition, from time to time the gate won't go up. The guard often can still read the barcode information on his computer, and if it is valid, will open the gate.

The barcode system is good, but certainly not perfect. Please try and be understanding both of the system and of our guards who are trying to do their job. If you feel you have been wrongly treated, let us know. The name of each guard is displayed at his booth, and all guards have gone through substantial training on courtesy to residents. Similarly, if you have good things to say about those who work for us, let me know as well. We are still working on getting the front gate to operate better, so feedback is important.

Good news for KQED listeners

I'm sworn to secrecy regarding the details, but KQED listeners in and around Rossmoor should be in for good news within the next 30 days.

David Smith's email address is dsmith@rossmoor.com.

Lions Club offers a free Hearing Seminar in the Fireside Room Saturday

The Rossmoor Lions Club will hold its 26th annual Hearing Seminar this Saturday, Sept. 15, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Gateway Fireside Room. The seminar will be both informative and inspirational, focusing on the theme of how to cope with age-related hearing loss. It is open to all residents and other guests concerned with hearing problems.

Activities Day set for early October at Gateway

Activities Day, which is sponsored by the Rossmoor Activities Council, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gateway complex.

Aquatics supervisor to speak to Activities Council

The Activities Council will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 19, in the Delta Room of the Del Valle Clubhouse. Coffee and socializing will begin at 9 a.m. and the meeting at 9:30 p.m.

“Completing the Circle of Life With Love and Dignity” panel presentation set for Fireside Room

A panel discussion on “Completing the Circle of Life With Love and Dignity” will be held on Monday, Sept. 17, at 11:30 a.m. The program, which includes a complimentary lunch, will be held in the Fireside Room at Gateway Clubhouse.

CORG's October meeting to focus on Creekside

The Committee for an Open and Responsive Government (CORG) will have its next general meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 2 p.m. in the Fireside Room at Gateway. The scope and financing of the Creekside project will be the focus of the meeting.

Deadline to sign up for Rossmoor phonebook is Oct. 5

It's time to sign up to be listed in the Rossmoor private telephone directory. The United Yellow Pages yellow card inserted in the Sept. 5 News needs to be completed and returned by Friday, Oct. 5, in order to get a listing in the Rossmoor phone book.

Democrats sponsor town hall meeting about plan for America

The Democrats of Rossmoor will hold a town hall discussion Thursday, Sept. 27, in the Diablo Room at Hillside.

Don't park in striped zones by handicapped spaces

Some residents have been parking golf carts in striped zones next to handicapped parking spaces. These residents need to be aware that there is no parking allowed in these areas.

First Mutual to discuss new budget

First Mutual members are welcome to attend the budget and finance committee meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at 11 a.m. in the Board Room at Gateway at which time the 2008 budget will be discussed.

First Mutual announces annual meeting

First Walnut Creek Mutual will hold its 40th annual meeting of the membership on Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 10 a.m. in the Las Trampas Room at Hillside Clubhouse.

FORE Flea Market is Sept. 29 at Gateway

Mt. Diablo Chapter of FORE thanks the many residents who will be vendors at its flea market on Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a big thank you to all who have donated to make this a big event.

Kaiser will give flu shots in Rossmoor on Oct. 13

The Kaiser Permanente flu shot clinic for Kaiser members will be held Saturday, Oct. 13, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Diablo Room at Hillside.

Learn the ins and outs of riding County Connection

Because there has been so much demand, on Tuesday, Sept. 25, Rossmoor Bus Forewoman Gretchen Hansen will offer another of her information sessions aboard a County Connection bus.

Meeting dates

BOARD, MUTUAL AND COMMITTEE MEETING DATES

President's Corner

The front gate

Scam Alert

The dying woman

Second Mutual's election is in progress, candidates offer statements

Ballots, along with candidate statements, have been sent to Second Mutual members for this year's election. Three candidates are running for two board positions currently held by Barbara El-Baroudi and Alan Wirsig.

Security Report

The following incidents were reported to Securitas, Rossmoor's security service provider. They appear here as they were initially reported to Securitas. After investigation, details of a case may indicate a lesser or different incident description.

Slurry sealing on Rossmoor streets begins Sept. 18

North Valley Construction, Inc,. and Graham Contractors will be slurry sealing on Tuesday, Sept. 18. Areas to be slurry sealed include Canyonwood Court, Lakeshire Drive, Edgewater Court and Whitehall Court.

SWCM addresses resident concerns at August board meeting

Twenty-seven residents attended the regular meeting of the Second Walnut Creek Mutual board of directors on Aug. 23.

Tutors are needed for teaching English as a second language

Additional tutors are needed for working in a weekly English as a second language program at King Middle School in Berkeley.

TV star Stepfanie Kramer will sing for program in Fireside Room

Singer Stepfanie Kramer will perform in the Fireside Room at Gateway on Friday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. She will be accompanied by pianist Richard Nelson Hall.

TWCM encourages members to attend meetings

Third Walnut Creek Mutual (TWCM) President Charles Sanderson welcomed the members present and expressed his appreciation for their concern in the issues affecting the Mutual. He also expressed his desire that in the future more members would attend the monthly meetings.

Two residents hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon

In the summer of 2006, Rossmoor resident Fred Barnes, 72, decided to act on a long-held desire to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. He made reservations for four people, including two men from the East plus fellow Rossmoor resident Don Liddle, age 70. The five-day adventure was scheduled for the beginning of May 2007.

Volunteers needed in Redwood Room

The Redwood Room is looking for people who enjoy good food, a warm pleasant working environment and working with the community.

Volunteers needed for Blue Star Moms' annual “Treats for Troops”

Blue Star Moms is a nationwide nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a local chapter in Danville. In mid to late November of each year, the moms send holiday gift packages to American troops serving overseas in such hot spots as Iraq and Afghanistan.