San Ramon Valley Newcomers Club
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Archive for April, 2008
April 29, 2008 at 1:03 am · Filed under Hiking Club
It has been decided that we will go to Bosco’s after our Friday hike.
To make it easy we will divide the bill evenly. If this isn’t okay with you let me know ahead of time. So far we only have one person needing to get back to the park and ride right after the hike but that may change. Please let me know if you are one of these people. The restaurant is really close to Sunol Regional Park. I am thinking we will probably be at the restaurant for about an hour or a little longer. Barbara J. has sent us this restaurant review.
Happy Trails, Sharon
April 29, 2008 at 1:00 am · Filed under President's Corner
This is the third time I’ve written my “last” President’s letter. Each time I get sentimental and philosophical. This is no exception.
Every time I write about how easy this job is and how rewarding. Well it still is. However most of it has not been my doing. My spinal surgery last March was supposed to be just a couple of months to recuperate. Well, it wasn’t. But you, my wonderful SRVNC friends, made it work. I never saw anyone who didn’t offer their help and support. And still does. I love this group and I am so grateful I found it. I will still be on the board because I want to give back and volunteer wherever I am needed. The best news is, however, that Jan McArdle will be President. I can’t wait to work with her-altho I have been for years as she always was there in any capacity. Good luck Jan!!
Just to clear up some business. There has been some confusion about the dues and when you owe it. The board has come up with a fair way to handle dues from women who join after the year (June) starts. We will collect 2$ per month for every month til the end of the year-whether you join in August or March. Our budget year starts in June and so do our dues. I hope that clears that up.
We are still looking for a Gad-A-Bouts chair. It isn’t that hard and we have notebooks of places to go-many of which was arrived at my a member survey. Most of the time it requires just choosing the place, write up a notice, and take reservations. It doesn’t have to be every month, but this group has always been a club favorite and attracts many new members. Think about it.
Thank you all for helping make me “look good” as your president. I could never do it without you all. Jan, you will be a great leader and I can’t wait to work at your side.
Hugs,
Myrna
April 21, 2008 at 3:04 pm · Filed under Hiking Club
This Friday, April 18, we hiked out from Finley Rd in Morgan Territory. It was another clear day for hiking. The road where we parked was lined with California poppies, a promise of more wildflowers to be seen on the trail. We hiked along a wooded trail until we reached the old abandoned house on the left side of the trail where our single track trail, Oyster Point Trail, headed left.
We almost immediately crossed a small stream with a huge tree that was showing its eroded roots. From there, it was up, up, and more up–much of it fairly steep. The hills were still very green in this area. We were treated with some lovely dark purple larkspur along the trail as well as bright yellow buttercups. The group began to spread out as we went at our own pace. One group made a good spot of the Diablo Fairy Lantern, native only to this area. We also saw some owls clover, a few Wally baskets, and fiddle necks. We didn’t get far enough to see Blackhawk as I thought we might but we could look down on Finley Rd and see the small speck of the house where we had turned onto our Oyster Point Trail. For many of us the turn around after an hour came too early. The trail was finally leveling off a bit and we were getting our second wind. We hiked for a total of two hours.slideshow
We had 13 hikers today including three new members Debby Allen, Barbara Christensen and Suzy Renteln. Welcome to you all. The other hikers were Lois T., Shirley A., Gretta, Barbara J., Jacky H., Rose T., Cathy K., Cindy, April, and Sharon
Our deepest sympathy goes out to April at the passing of her father.
Happy Trails, Sharon
April 21, 2008 at 8:55 am · Filed under Wine Club
The video below says it all, but here is the list of wines that Gil & Bobbi Jardine shared with the group on Friday night.
Wines From Gil’s Cellar- Wine Appreciation Group, 4/19/2008
Argentina: 2005 Altos Las Hormigas Mendoza Reserva Vina Hormigas: The Wine Spectator: Very ripe, but also racy, with an exotic array of graphite, tar, sweet dark chocolate, plum, fig and violet. Has great structure and drive through the grip-filled finish. Drink through 2009– 3000 cases made
France (Bordeaux) : 2000 Chateau Siran Grand Cru Exceptionnel Margaux: The Wine Spectator: A lovely wine from this château. Aromas of crushed blackberries and raspberries. Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a long refreshing finish. Very racy. Best after 2009. 6,665 cases made.– Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020.
Simi Landslide Cabernet Sauvignon 2001: Alexander Valley: The Wine Spectator A delicious Cabernet at a terrific price—smooth, rich and juicy, with tiers of lively black cherry, wild berry and blackberry fruit that are deeply concentrated with a supple, elegant mouth feel. The tannins show some grip on the finish and a nice dusty, cedary oak quality adds a note of complexity. Best from 2005 through 2011. The Wine Enthusiast: This fabulously complex wine shows how you can merge power and nuance with the most complex and satisfying results… Shows an exciting finesse throughout– hard to exaggerate the quality. A perfect companion at the table.
Michel Magnien: 2002 Gevrey-Chambertin—Les Seuvrees Vielles Vignes: The Wine Advocate (89 - 90 Points): This is a fabulous single-vineyard wine that showcases Gevrey-Chambertin’s special terroir. The 2002 has unquestionable concentration and strength, yet it maintains Pinot Noir’s regal character. The aromas kick off our magical mystery tour with blackberries and toasty oak, while the flavors of medium-bodied dark fruit, herbs and a bit of tar lead to a hefty dose of smooth, ripe tannins. The smooth, round flavors make this a nice match with roast chicken and even grilled fish.
2002 Acacia Vineyard Pinot Noir Carneros: Deep ruby red color. The nose exhibits a delicate balance between primary fruit and rich, meaty, savory notes. A deep, black cherry aroma intermingles with subtle blackberry, cassis, roasted meat, wet earth and Provençal herb notes. The wine is creamy and mouth-filling on entry with a strong cola impression at mid-palate that leads to vanilla and tar on the long, broad, red cherry finish.
Yalumba Museum Reserve Antique Tawny Dessert Wine (Australia): The Wine Advocate: The medium amber-hued non-vintage Museum Reserve Antique Tawny, which has had more than 15 years of oak aging, is a sensational fortified that could easily be confused with a high quality, 20- to 25-year-old Tawny Port. Delicious notes of prunes, sweet raisins, over-ripe strawberries, and caramel soar from the glass of this incredibly intense wine.
April 21, 2008 at 5:15 am · Filed under General
There has been a last minute change in the nominees. Paula Williams has graciously agreed to be 1st vice=president and Pat Deisenroth will be secretary. Thanks to both of them for stepping up.
April 21, 2008 at 5:13 am · Filed under President's Corner
I would like to encourage as many members as possible to attend the May luncheon and installation. Your thanks for the work the outgoing board has done and the support for the new board coming in would be greatly appreciated. None of the fun things you do with SRVNC would be available without these volunteers. The program at Alden Lane makes it a “must do” event.
April 17, 2008 at 4:51 am · Filed under Hiking Club
Today we hiked at Bishop Ranch Open Space literally in some of our back yards. The hills were lush green and brimming with wildflowers. The trail was quite challenging with a lot of steep ups and downs. We hiked for a total of about 4 miles in a little less than 2 hours. We started off along Stream View Trail. This involved a few small stream crossings and took us through a wooded area on a single path trail. We saw a lot of buttercups in this area. As we continued upward and into a more open space we saw lupines, both miniature and standard, fields of tiny pink geranium, blue eyed grass, and most impressive the field of California poppies as we started down the final Grey Fox Trail. We didn’t see any wild life that I know of but the group was large and perhaps some of you spotted something I didn’t see. Most of us hiked past the water tower and to the Paddock entrance before completing the loop.
Today’s hikers were Barbara J., Chris T., Jane H., Lois T., Aleta S., Rose T., ShirleyA., Celia M., Sharon K. and 3 guests: Suzi R., Debbie A., and Monica V. Joining us afterwards for lunch at Kathy Incavo’s new home were Cathy K, Jacky H., Theresa A., and guest Barbara C. It was so nice to have so many out of the trails today, enjoying this beautiful spring weather and friendships–new and old.
Thank you Kathy for inviting us over for lunch. Your new home is lovely. Several people were asking if you would share your apple dessert with the group. It was delicious.
We hope that Suzi, Debbie, Monica and Barbara will join us again next week as will all of our members.
Click here for photo album
Happy Trails, Sharon
April 13, 2008 at 2:58 pm · Filed under Book Club
Life in ‘Glass Castle’ only made Walls stronger
Memoir by MSNBC.com’s gossip columnist tells of life that was no fairy tale
REVIEW By Denise Hazlick
MSNBC updated 3:07 p.m. PT, Mon., March. 20, 2006
Jeannette Walls spends most of her time digging up dirt on other people’s lives. As the gossip columnist for MSNBC.com, Walls tracks down the latest rumors about Britney Spears’ marriage, Michael Jackson’s peccadilloes and the latest target on the PETA hit list.
But her road to celebrity gossip columnist was tougher than any angry call she’d ever received from an enraged publicist. In her autobiography, released this week by Scribner, Walls reveals a sad and sometimes tragic childhood that few but her closest friends knew about.
In the opening pages of “The Glass Castle,” Walls recalls watching someone else do a little digging — her mother, searching through a garbage dumpster in lower Manhattan. Walls wastes little time unveiling the dichotomy that is her life — a high-profile Park Avenue reporter with a unconventional and often tragic past that followed her from the hollows of West Virginia to Manhattan.
April 13, 2008 at 12:39 pm · Filed under President's Corner
Hi Gals
This is the third time I’ve written my “last” President’s letter. Each time I get sentimental and philosophical. This is no exception.
Every time I write about how easy this job is and how rewarding. Well it still is. However most of it has not been my doing. My spinal surgery last March was supposed to be just a couple of months to recuperate. Well, it wasn’t. But you, my wonderful SRVNC friends, made it work. I never saw anyone who didn’t offer their help and support. And still does. I love this group and I am so grateful I found it. I will still be on the board because I want to give back and volunteer wherever I am needed. The best news is, however, that Jan McArdle will be President. I can’t wait to work with her-altho I have been for years as she always was there in any capacity. Good luck Jan!!
Just to clear up some business. There has been some confusion about the dues and when you owe it. The board has come up with a fair way to handle dues from women who join after the year (June) starts. We will collect 2$ per month for every month til the end of the year-whether you join in August or March. Our budget year starts in June and so do our dues. I hope that clears that up.
We are still looking for a Gad-A-Bouts chair. It isn’t that hard and we have notebooks of places to go-many of which was arrived at my a member survey. Most of the time it requires just choosing the place, write up a notice, and take reservations. It doesn’t have to be every month, but this group has always been a club favorite and attracts many new members. Think about it.
Thank you all for helping make me “look good” as your president. I could never do it without you all. Jan, you will be a great leader and I can’t wait to work at your side.
Hugs,
Myrna
