Stompy Jones Band headlines Fourth of July festivities

The Stompy Jones Band will be the spotlight entertainers for the Fourth of July festivities at the Dollar picnic grounds on Saturday, July 4, from approximately 12:45 p.m. to 1: 45 p.m.

Stompy Jones is a San Francisco-based sextet, renowned for its jumping rhythm, wailing improvisations, hip charm, retro style and explosive stage show. Whether appearing at a posh supper club, concert hall, festival or cozy tavern, these journeymen of jump deliver the romping, joyous, overwhelming style of jazz that came to be known as rock ‘n' roll.

Little David Rose's stand-up bass, the double-shuffle drumming of Lee Beary, and the bounce piano of Scott Lawrence provide the rhythmic foundation of the band's jump style.

Riffing on top is the trumpet sound of Robert Dehlinger and Erv Ervin on the saxophone. These two musicians create the fireworks of vintage rhythm and blues. The charming Christopher Binnings' soulful vocals have become a trademark of Stompy Jones.

Stompy Jones came into existence in May 1998 at the Hi Ball Lounge in San Francisco. Rose talked the owners of the Hi Ball into letting him host a swing jam session on Tuesday nights with the intent of finding musicians interested in helping him form a rhythm and blues dance band. Eventually, he was set with a six-piece jump band that could recreate the jaunty blues sound of Louis Jordan and the Tympany Five.

This same scenario could have been told in the 1940s by Roy Milton, Joe Liggins or T-Bone Walker. These musicians, all former Big Band members crafting a small-group sound based on the enormous success of Louis Jordan, created the rhythm and blues era, as well as the independent record industry. This West Coast phenomenon became the foundation of Top 40 radio and what is now called rock ‘n' roll.

The Stompy Jones Band will perform at the Rotary Stage at Dollar Clubhouse. The Fourth of July festivities are sponsored by the Recreation Department and are open to all residents and their guests.

See other articles in the News for more details on this community-wide event.

With the 2010 budget preparation around the corner, GRF Board sets parameters

Looking forward to the end of summer 2010 budget preparation, the GRF Board spent considerable time discussing budget principles at its June 25 regular meeting. The principles, which originated with CEO Warren Salmons last year for the 2009 budget, lay the foundation for the process to come.

A full program is set for this year's Fourth of July celebration

Residents, their families and friends are invited to the Fourth of July events that will be held at Dollar Clubhouse and picnic grounds on Saturday, July 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Board Actions

Following are the actions taken by the GRF Board meeting on June 25:

Emergency response systems save lives

What would you do if you had a fall or realized that you were having a stroke or heart attack and were unable to get to the telephone?

Facebook group starting in Rossmoor

Rossmoor residents who have a page on Facebook are invited to join the new group called 4Rossmoor.

Fourth of July schedule of events

Fourth of July schedule of events

It's golf tournament season, so walking on courses is restricted some Mondays

It's tournament season on the golf course, which means that one or both of the courses may be closed to walkers on Mondays in the coming months. If the tournament starts at noon, then walkers can still use the course in the morning. If the tournament is on the Dollar Ranch Course, then walkers can still use the Creekside Course. Here is the schedule of upcoming tournaments:

Meeting Dates

BOARD, MUTUAL AND COMMITTEE

News has early deadline in July

Since Rossmoor staff will be celebrating the Fourth of July holiday on July 3, the News will have an early deadline for the July 8 issue.

Recycle Column

Collecting compostables

Republican Club hosts UC Berkeley political science professor

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Residents get energy-saving tips at RRA meeting

Residents learned how they can be more energy efficient, reduce their PG&E and water bills and realize a quick savings of $700 in the process.

Residents hope to graze goats for fire control on Skycrest Drive

At the top of Skycrest Drive, the views are spectacular due to the elevation and the steep terrain that goes with it. At this time of year residents take preventive steps to maintain the recommended 100 feet of defensible space between the tall, dry grasses in the steep canyons right below their manors.

Rossmoor buses operate on weekend schedule for Independence Day

On the Independence Day holiday weekend of Saturday, July 4, and Sunday, July 5, the Rossmoor buses will be operating on Sunday schedule all weekend.

Rotary Club seeks donations of entertainment equipment for veterans

The Rotary Club seeks donations of entertainment equipment for the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Martinez. An earlier donation drive was such a morale booster that VA therapists asked for the club's help again.

RREPO to meet Monday

The Rossmoor Resident Emergency Preparedness Organization (RREPO) will meet on Monday, July 6, at 9:30 a.m. at Dollar Clubhouse. Residents are invited and should come prepared with paper and pencil.

Security Reports

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. If the case warrants it, the News will do a follow-up story.

Sixty-year-old female building contractor has been in construction since college days

When you think of a building contractor, you probably envision a “him.” Right? Well, in this case, he is a she. And “she,” namely Maria Sol, lives in Rossmoor. The surprisingly petite 60-year-old stresses, though, that nowadays most people are accepting of women building contractors, which is a far cry from when she started out.

Stompy Jones Band headlines Fourth of July festivities

The Stompy Jones Band will be the spotlight entertainers for the Fourth of July festivities at the Dollar picnic grounds on Saturday, July 4, from approximately 12:45 p.m. to 1: 45 p.m.

The second phase of corporation yard construction begins this week

The second phase (Site A) of the work at the corporation yard officially began this week. The contractor, William G. McCullough Co., was expected to begin site preparation on June 29. Official ground-breaking will take place on July 6.

Trainers go the distance and qualify as medical exercise specialists

Fitness training is often rigorous for the trainee. But what about for the trainer?

What's an Evac Pac and where can a resident get one?

Every Rossmoor manor should have an Evac Pac. This is a small, red fabric drawstring bag in which to put information and medications that might be needed in an emergency - be it medical or otherwise.