Monday, February 28, 2011

Possible Book Club Candidates

The book club has asked me to publish the list of books that will be voted on for next year at book club this month. 
New ones will be added to it from time to time.
Thanks, Louise
Alias Grace

by Margaret Attwood

The story is about the notorious 1843 murders of Thomas Kinnear and his housekeeper Nancy Montgomery in Upper Canada. Two servants of the Kinnear household, Grace Marks and James McDermott, were convicted of the crime. McDermott was hanged and Marks was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Although the novel is based on factual events, Atwood constructs a narrative with a fictional doctor, Simon Jordan, who becomes personally involved in the story of Grace Marks and seeks to reconcile the mild mannered woman he sees with the murder of which she has been convicted.


Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold

by C. S. Lewis

It is a retelling of the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche, which had haunted Lewis all his life. The first part of the book is written from the perspective of Psyche's older sister Orual, and is constructed as a long-withheld accusation against the gods. Although Orual is unattractive, she loves her beautiful half-sister Psyche obsessively, and when Psyche is sacrificed to the "God of the Mountain” she feels as if the gods have stolen her sister from her. In an attempt to rescue her sister, she, instead, destroys her happiness. In response, she writes her tale in hopes that it will be brought to Greece, where she has heard that men are willing to question even the gods. The book examines the frustration of those who wonder why the Gods hide themselves instead of making themselves manifest.


A Prayer for Owen Meany

by John Irving

It tells the story of John Wheelwright and his best friend Owen Meany growing up together in a small New England town during the 1950-60s. Owen is a remarkable boy in many ways; he believes himself to be God's instrument and journeys on a truly extraordinary path. The novel deals with serious spiritual issues, such as the importance of faith, matters of social justice, and the concept of fate, in the context of an outlandish narrative. Throughout the novel, John and Owen both offer criticisms of organized religion and religious hypocrisy. The narrative is constructed as the interweaving of three different stories.



Cutting for Stone

by Abraham Verghese

Marion and Shiva Stone are born one dramatic afternoon in 1954 in Addis Ababa, the same day their mother — a nun, Sister Mary Joseph Praise — dies of complications from her hidden pregnancy. The boys are conjoined at the skull, yet separated at birth. Both become surgeons during Ethiopia’s political turmoil. Almost supernaturally close as children, the brothers become more and more distant as the novel progresses; they are dramatically reunited at its end — through the mysterious agency of the long-vanished father, Thomas Stone.

South of Broad

by Pat Conroy

The novel follows the life of Leopold Bloom King in Charleston, South Carolina. It ranges from his troubled childhood to his adult life with his close group of friends. The massive book is written in 5 parts. The book follows a group of friends from 1969 to 1989. The book covers many aspects of the Charleston society: marriages, love, racism and the church.


American Jezebel

by Eve La Plante

The author is a direct descendant of Anne Hutchinson, “The woman who defied the Puritans.” Hutchinson had only been in Boston — where she settled with her wealthy textile trader husband, Will — for a year or two before she became a troublemaker in the eyes of the local authorities. In 1647, Hutchinson was dragged before one of those nightmarishly stacked colonial courts (similar to the ones the Salem Witch Trial defendants would face 45 years later), and ordered to recant her "heresies." Her trial is the centerpiece of American Jezebel, It's been likened to the trial of Joan of Arc.


The Mistress of Nothing


By Kate Pullinger

In 1862, almost certain to die of consumption if she remained in England, Lucie Duff- Gordon, accompanied by her maid, Sally Naldrett leave for Egypt. Her family, including a toddler, were left behind, but she was advised to acquire that indispensable tool of a Middle Eastern traveller, a dragoman: Omar Abu Halaweh. An affair in the steamy night of Luxor between Omar and Sally results in a pregnancy. Against all odds, Sally challenges her destiny as a fallen women and disgraced companion




































Box Tops for Education

For years Donna #16 has volunteered as a second grade aid at a local school, and has had us saving box tops
to help them earn school supplies.
As you know Donna & Lanny can't be with us right now
 and Annie #28 has stepped up to collect the box tops.
The list of participating products is huge!
Check it out...

I found 8 of the Box Tops for Education in a couple of minutes in my pantry, on such products as Ziplock bags and General Mills cereals, and Betty Crocker. 
 Take a look,
cut them out...
and get them over to Annie.
She'll deliver them to the school.
Your good deed for today and the future!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Found Button

From Pauline:

As I walked from the pavilion to Flip Flopz last night I spied a 3/8
inch silver rimmed pearlized button with a "L" (written style) in a
brown tone on it near the entrance to Flip Flopz.

Should it have had come from someone's
prized piece of clothing and that person let you know he/she had lost it (or perhaps he/she is not yet aware of the loss), I thought your
blog might be the medium for a possible happy reunion of article of
clothing to said button.

Thank you,

Pauline

Mediterranean Dinner Success!

What a GRAND NIGHT!

The Mediterranean dinner was an out-n-out delight.
Great food...and lots of it!...
This is the lamb plate.
The lost lamb...
the lamb George & Donna drove all the way
to San Antonio to purchase!
And the main course, chicken or lamb, was preceded by hearty appetizers and luscious soup...and did I mention wine?
Then followed with full plates of pastry and candy.

The highlight of the evening though, was the dance troupe.
What sparkly entertainment...
It was an evening full of
laughter,
 music,
 wine!
We servers had a great time dressing up as
harem cuties
and sultans.
Do you recognize this beauty?
Annie, is it true? Do blonds have more fun?
*
So many people to thank...
SueP for her costume trunk of goodies,
Catherine for helping with makeup...especially with the "Sultans",
The chefs,
 the serving crew,
 the prep crew,
the dancers....
we all had such fun. 
 Hope you were able to attend! 

Results: 2011 OLYMPIC'S MEN'S WATER VOLLEYBALL

Thanks Everybody!
Ian

Friday, February 25, 2011

Are You A Friend of Sandy Pipers?

From Vicki B #22
*********************
SANDY PIPERS

Please be my facebook friend.

Sandpipers' bulletin board and social network.

Once you become Sandy Pipers' friend, you will be added to Sandy Pipers Friends private group (let me know if I missed you).
 On the left side of your facebook page you will see Sandy Pipers Fri... click on the group to only talk to Sandpipers' residents.

Facebook Class 101

If you are not familiar with facebook we can explore Sandy Pipers' facebook page on Saturday, Feb 26 at 10 am at my house, site 22. We will use my laptop and Internet service. If you are worried about your privacy and your identity, we can go over options for creating a persona like Sandy Pipers.

********************
***************
And....
A Birding report from the Burt Bird Sanctuary on site #22.



Today's sighting is a Pyrrhuloxia; A slender gray and red finch with a crest, looks like a male Cardinal, but has a gray and yellow bill,
the female resembles the female Cardinal
and is brown with a yellow bill  
 (she is under the chair). Resident of west Texas.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Men's Olympic Water VolleyBall Teams.


ANY PERSONS WISHING TO BE SPARE PLAYERS SHOULD CONTACT IAN AT LOT 502

Thank you!

Ian

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Women's Water VolleyBall Olympic Winners

Edirectory Reminder

 A Reminder!
 I would like to have the Edirectory Info (and Pictures)
 by the last day of the month after which
 I will be sending out the File.
 One good thing about this directory is that if I need to make changes or additions I just need to send out another email.

Thanks,
 
Karen and Bill Hazlett, #403

2 on 2 Water VolleyBall Results

CO-ED 2on2 VOLLEYBALL RESULTS:

GOLD - JOAN & BARRY

SILVER - DOROTHEE & KEN

BRONZE - MARGO & LARRY
 
THANKS TO THE 36 TEAMS WHO PLAYED A TOTAL OF 33 GAMES TO DETERMINE THE MEDALISTS,
TO THE LINESMEN MEL & BILL,
 AND TO SOUND MAN STEVE.

THANK YOU

IAN

Bike Ride Changes From Tom B.

I have made a few changes in our
proposed March bike ride schedule.

Louise and I will be leaving on March 17
and will return about March 27.
 There is one ride on the schedule which will have to be done
without our leadership.
 That is the ride at Llano Grande State Park
 and Birding Center.
Since we have been there before and the park location
is easily described, I chose that as the ride for March 22.
 Riders may either go as a group without a leader or a leader may step forward to take the lead for this ride.
I'll continue to pursue a leader and
hopefully have one to stand in for us that week.

Please change the calendar listings for the March rides.
We'll get a revised bike ride list for April to you in late March.
We will plan to conclude the bike ride season in mid-April.

Thank you,

Tom Butler, 44

Each Tuesday departing the Sandpipers Gate at 9:00 a.m.

 

March 1, 2011 – Sandpipers Olympics – No bicycle ride.

March 8, 2011 – NABA Butterfly Garden – We park at Bentsen State Park and ride one mile to the Butterfly Garden and return. The road is level and mostly paved with a short section of gravel. There is a small admission charge at the Butterfly Garden. With warm spring temperatures there should be plenty of butterflies. Bring binoculars and a camera if you wish to observe the butterflies closely. Insect repellant is also recommended. There are numerous opportunities to see unusual butterflies on a good day. There is a small admission fee for the Butterfly Garden. Our lunch stop will be BJ’s Brewhouse at Ware Road.

March 15 – Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge – Laguna Atascosa is north of Port Isabel . The ride starts inland and proceeds to the coast of the Laguna Madre. Along about five miles of coastline we’ll see sea and shore birds and perhaps other wildlife. The body of water for which this refuge is named lies inland and can be reached by car trip following our ride. If you are interested and it is possible, we’ll try to get to the Alligator Pond to see alligators following our ride. This is a long ride, about 14 miles, on level paved roads with the last two miles on gravel. Pack a picnic lunch as we will stop at a scenic overlook pavilion for lunch while along the route. Weather will likely be very warm, bring plenty of water, insect repellant, camera, binoculars and bird guide. There is a fee for admission to the National Wildlife Refuge. If you have a National Parks and Federal Lands Pass, you will get in free.

March 22 – Estero Llano Grande – This World Birding Center lies along and east of FM 1015 or International Boulevard. This is the road to Progresso. This ride is a repeat from the fall rides. Our last visit here was most productive in sighting a variety of song birds and aquatic waterfowl. We also saw several alligators and toured a RV park which is now abandoned following its integration into the park. The total ride length is about 5 miles on gravel trails and boardwalks. Lunch will be at Fat Daddy’s BBQ which is just north of the park on FM 1015. Bring a camera, binoculars, bird guide, insect repellant and water for this ride. There is a $5 per person fee for admission. Tom and Louise Butler will be out of the park for this ride so leaders will have to rise from the group or the group may proceed to this ride without a leader!

March 29 – South Padre Island – A long drive but a pleasant ride through the most inhabited portion of the Island. We’ll park at the Convention Center and then ride to Isla Blanca State Park and return, a total distance of about 8 miles. Along the way we’ll ride the Gulf side of the island and then return along the Laguna Madre side of the island. This ride will be during spring break so you never know what wildlife we’ll see! While on the ride we’ll stop for lunch at a restaurant so bring a bicycle lock. A camera and water are also recommended for this ride. Admission to Isla Blanca State Park is free for bicycle riders.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Olympic Golf Results, Windshield Repair

Tall Dick, #116, is having a ding in his windshield repaired Thursday morning at 8:15. 
Mosey on over to check out the good job
and arrange to get your nicks and dings smoothed out. 
Ernie Rodriguez is the guy's name.
 Prices start at $15...if only they could erase wrinkles that easily!
*******************
*******
From Annie....
OLYMPIC LONGEST WIFFLE DRIVE WINNERS

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2011

37 GOLFERS PARTICIPATED

LADIES – Non-Golfers

Sherry - #40 Gold Metal

Catherine #410 Silver Metal

Sharon #25 Bronze Metal
 

MEN – Non-Golfers

Mike - #14 Gold Metal

Chris - #312 Silver Metal

Richie - #226 Bronze Metal

 
LADIES – Golfers

Linda - #310 Gold Metal

Vicki - #22 Silver Metal

Joey - #50 Bronze Metal
 

MEN – Golfers

Bob Dobbs - #514 Gold Metal

Mike - #25 Silver Metal

Jim - #38 Bronze Metal
**************
***
OLYMPIC GOLF TEAMS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2011

DAKOTA BILL FEJFAR – (74 or +2) Gold Metal

John Adams

Linda McGill

Daniel Fortin



Jack McGill – (75 or +3) Silver Metal

Cindy Copeland

Mike Long

Joe Miller



TOM COOPER – (77 or +5) Bronze Metal

Louise Butler

Dave Junkin

Joey Noel



BOB BURT – (79 or +7)

Vicki Burt

Lester Handwork

Duane Dupor



BOB DOBBS – (79 or +7)

Bob Copeland

Joan Hess

Annie Waugh



Closest to the Pin (Hole #14) – Mike Long – 10’2”

 
Longest Putt (Hole #18) – Lester Handwork – 3’8”


Mariana Issues an Invite.

My son Brian competed in the Regional tryouts for
All Region Mariachi Ensemble.

 Proud to say he made 2nd Chair Vihuela.
There will be a free concert to present the Group in Donna Texas. Did I forget to say the Concert was FREE.
Well it is.

I invite all who are interested to come and listen to the best Mariachi instrumentalist in the Valley.

Date: Saturday February 26

Time: 6:30

Where: Donna High School

Directions: 1/4 mile E. Wood Ave., Donna Texas

((Exit Salinas Rd. off Expressway 83
and you will be able to see the school from there)

Hope to see you there!

Mariana












Monday, February 21, 2011

Women's Olympic Water VolleyBall Teams

Teams for Women's olympic volleyball, which is scheduled for Wednesday, February 23 at 1:00:


Moving Sale, Lot 525

OPEN HOUSE & PATIO SALE

MARCH 6 @ 9:00 A.M. TIL???

Lot 525

COFFEE
COOKIES

&
WINE 

Will Be Provided
********

Excess Furniture,

Small Appliances,

 Tools,

and Miscellaneous Items!

Thanks, Lee & Denise

Sunday, February 20, 2011

More Olympic Water VolleyBall Info.

WATER VOLLEYBALL – CO-ED 2 on 2

Tuesday, February 22 at 1:30 PM

 
The following people have signed up for this event:

 
Barry 47 Anita 213

Bob 514 Annie 28

Clint 212 Barb 205

Doc 210 Carol 47

Duane 201 Dorothee 506

Frank 401 Francine 8

Garland 108 Joan 305

Guido 202 Judy 431

John 5 Lucie B 427

Ken 316 Margo 328

Larry 306 Marianna OP

Mel 415 Patty 434

Mike 14 Sandra 401

Rich 431 Sherry 40

Stan 328 Terri 415

Steve 42 Terry 227

Tommy 227 Theresa 118

The fact that you are signed up and on this list is an indication that you are COMMITTED to attend the event!!
If for any reason you will NOT participate,
I need to know ASAP please!
The above list is NOT the team structure!

Other people wishing to participate but not on the above list
can sign up by seeing Ian at Lot 502,
but you will be spares unless both a man and woman sign up.

The volleyball net will be set up at the usual time of 11:00 am, and the 2 on 2 court will be put in place at about 12:45.

It is critical that everyone who is participating be at the pool before the 1:30 scheduled start time as the teams will not be announced until each team is called to play in the first round – SURPRISE!!!!!

******************************

WATER VOLLEYBALL – WOMEN’S

Wednesday, February 23 at 1:00 PM

There are currently 4 teams of 7 for this event.
 If for any reason you will NOT participate,
I need to know ASAP please!
*
Other people wishing to participate but not signed up may do so by seeing Ian at Lot 502 ASAP, but you may be a spare once the teams are posted unless I have 30 players, in which case there will be 5 teams of 6.
*
The volleyball net will be set up at the usual time of 11:00 am for co-ed play, and the court will be put in place at about 12:30 for women only to practice.
*
The team rosters will be posted in the club room and on the blog sometime on Monday, February 21.

March Movies

Seeing that Bernie and I will be gone
 February 21st to March 7th,
I thought that I should be
 getting out the Movie Night information early.

These four moves will finish the season for
Wednesday Night movies.

March 2nd:

Assault on Precinct 13
May your new years eve celebration never be spent with cops like these. Sgt. Roenick (Ethan Hawke) refuses to believe he is not responsible for the recent deaths of two of his partners. He hides out on the job as a sergeant at a remote precinct headquarters that is about to be closed permanently. Joining him there is Jasper (Brian Dennehy) who is about to retire and Iris (Drea de Matteo) as the sexy, seductive secretary. It's new years eve and they are having a private celebration with some co-workers when a prisoner bus carrying a cop killer named Bishop (Laurence Fishburne) and some other prisoners is diverted to his precinct due to back weather. Bishop is on the to-be-killed list of Duvall (Gabriel Bryne) who is a specialized unit commander. Duvall and Bishop have been "business partners" and Bishop knows too much on too many cops to be allowed to live. Duvall and his cops lay siege to the precinct during the night and the plot twists and turns begin. Who is a good cop and who is a bad cop. Who is a good criminal and who is a bad criminal. Will they work together or try to kill one another while defending the precinct.

March 9th:
The Social Network
“The Social Network” is the story of Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) who with the help of his college roommate, Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) created a database for ranking female college students. The website is called “FaceMash” and it earns Mark academic probation but also the attention of the Winklevoss twins, Cameron (Armie Hammer) and Tyler (Armie Hammer) who have developed their own website, Harvard Connection. Mark now has a job. As Mark’s website idea grows, he develops “Face Book” with the help of Eduardo and the funding of the Winklevoss twins. But when “Facebook” grows too big and shows to be something worth making money of off; Mark takes it for himself and pushes out both his friend and his initial investors.

March 16th:
 She's Out of My League

Ordinary and pedestrian Kirk (Jay Baruchel) is an airport security worker, whose social network more or less is a group of dull guys he works with. When he comes to the rescue of a beautiful young woman named Molly (Alice Eve) while she is in airport distress, he becomes smitten. Finding and returning her cell phone opens up a possible dating relationship. His friends like Jack (Mike Vogel) and Stainer (T.J. Miller) feel he has gone above his station, even though he has failed with a girl Marnie (Lindsay Sloane) who was on his level. Molly may have jettisoned the usual scale, having found a simple and funny fellow preferable to an egotistical one. Kirk plans to try his luck.

March 23rd:
Red

Frank (Bruce Willis) is a former black ops CIA agent living a quiet life alone...until the day a hit squad shows up to kill him. With his identity compromised, Frank reassembles his old team - Joe (Morgan Freeman), Marvin (John Malkovich) and Victoria (Helen Mirren) - and sets out to prove that they still have a few tricks up their sleeves. Stand back and watch the bullets fly in this explosive action-comedy.

Thank You,

Bob










Saturday, February 19, 2011

VolleyBall Results

           GOLD                              SILVER                          BRONZE


TEAM 7                           TEAM 4                             TEAM 6

   Annie 28                           Bob 514                            Barb 205

     Daniel 421                        Mike 25                           Guido 202

    Garland 108                      Joan 205                           Irwin 332

            Hilton 203                         Rich 431                          Marianna OP

Joey 50                             Sandra 401                            Mike 14

Jon 221                             Sue P 37                                 Steve 42

Theresa 118                        Tommy T 227                             Terri 415




*************************************************************
From Ian, The VolleyBall Czar

It is Saturday Night and I am reviewing the sign-up sheets
 for 2-on-2 volleyball on Tuesday
and for women's volleyball on Wednesday.

For 2-on-2 I am short 1 woman to even out the teams -or 1 man will have to voluntarily drop out.
 Of course more couples are welcome to sign up!

For women's volleyball it would be really nice to have at least 1 more sign-up and ideally 3 more at least.

In both cases the more the merrier of course, but please don't make me come and hunt you down - if you who have not signed up yet I know who you are!!!



OLYMPIC GOLF TEAMS

OLYMPIC GOLF TEAMS
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2011
 
BOB DOBBS – 1st Tee Time @ 8:23

Bob Copeland

Joan Hess

Annie Waugh



Jack McGill – 2nd Tee Time @ 8:30

Cindy Copeland

Mike Long

Joe Miller



DAKOTA BILL FEJFAR – 3rd Tee Time @ 8:38

John Adams

Linda McGill

Daniel Fortin



BOB BURT – 4th Tee Time @ 8:45

Vicki Burt

Lester Handwork

Duane



TOM COOPER – 5th Tee Time @ 8:53

Louise Butler

Dave Junkin

Joey Noel
 








































Thursday, February 17, 2011

Wii bowling schedule

There will be lots of Olympic updates,
sometimes multiple times a day,
during the next couple of weeks.
Check the blog often!
******************
The Wii bowling schedule
will be posted in the card room
 and begins on the 18th of Feb at 7PM.  
 The second night will be on the 20th of Feb at 7PM.




Olympic Update, Friday Parade and Opening Ceremony

Wa Hoo

It Worked!

We are going to have warm weather for the
 Olympic Opening Ceremonies.


Don’t forget!!!
The fun begins with a parade. 
 Don't forget your flags!
Friday @ 3:15
by the Pavilion.


Followed by:

The International Super Happy Hour

Coordinators will be there
giving brief explanations
of their event(s).

 
And Our 1st event, Wii Bowling
begins at 7:00 PM


Hope to see you there!!!

Co-Ed Water VolleyBall Teams

2011 OLYMPICS - CO-ED TEAMS
Saturday, February 19 at 12:00 noon



TEAMS SHOULD SELECT THEIR OWN CAPTAIN



TEAM 1

 Bob 417
 Carol 47
Francine 8
 Jim Z 38
Joe 424
 Patty 434
 Richie 226
 Sharon 25
 
 
TEAM 2

Doc 210
John P 37
Karen H 403
Joy 424
Ken 316
Rick 207
Louise 44
Tom 412


TEAM 3

Ann OP
Bev 514
Dorothee 506
Frank 401
John B 5
Judy 431
Mel 415
Pierre 422


TEAM 4

 Bob 514
 Dave 334
 Joan 205
 Rich 431
 Sandra 401
 Sue P 37
Tommy T 227

 

 TEAM 5

 Bill S 3
 Donna 204
 Jeff 318
Larry Wright
 Stan 328
 Sue Z 38
 Terry T 227

 

TEAM 6  


 Bill H 403
Bob B 22 
Clint 212
Duane 201 
Lucie B 427
Margo 328
 Sue M 318
TEAM 7
Annie 28
Daniel 421
Garland 108
Hilton 203
Joey 50
Jon 221
Theresa 118



TEAM 8


Barb 205
Guido 202
Irwin 332
Marianna OP
Mike 14
Steve 42
Terri 415