July 2020
GCA Newsletter

Sun City Grand Community News

Bruce Lucas

In the midst of Arizona’s rising COVID-19 infection rate, Sun City Grand reopening plans remain on pause. All indoor charter clubs, plus most indoor facilities remain shuttered at this time. This position was reaffirmed during the July Board of Directors meeting. The Board will not budge from their commitment to keep SCG residents as safe as possible from contracting COVID-19, on the SCG campus.
 

Additionally both gyms, and indoor walking track, are once again closed. However, the Adobe indoor pool, plus both Adobe and Cimarron outdoor pools, remain open to residents at this time. Golf, pickle ball, tennis, and the dog park also remain open due to the outdoor nature of the activities. Most facilities are functioning on a limited use basis, and several require advance reservations.
 

SCG decisions related to community activities is determined by several factors, including guidance from Federal, State, County, and Municipal mandates as to what is considered safe activities. Our community follows the most conservative approach given the average age of our residents. SCG approach to reopening facilities is also guided by Arizona’s position in leading the nation (by percentage tested) with more than 25% of COVID-19 tests showing positive results (source Johns Hopkins University).
 

The good news is basic safe standards of social distancing and use of face masks is noticeable throughout the area. Hopefully this adherence to suggested guidelines will help in establishing a downward infection trend leading to the reopening of SCG activities in the near future.
 

Stay safe and please wear a mask.

 

       

 

 

What's New From IT

Karen LeMar

Volunteer Calendars

Volunteers are now able to see who has signed up for time slots and which times lots are still available. On the "Volunteering" page, you will now see two Calendar options:

  • View Monitor Calendar:

This option takes you directly to the Monitors' Calendar. It shows members who have signed up to monitor, along with their time slot.

 

  • View Volunteering Calendar:

This option shows all the various volunteer opportunities - Monitor, Glaze, and Kiln. In this display, it does not show the names, as it would become complicated and difficult to read. However, there is an additional feature, where you can see the names of other volunteers. To do this, click in the "Category" box at the top left of the calendar. Select the volunteer type you'd like to see, then hit Enter (or click "Filter Volunteer Sessions".)

 

The calendars work the same as always. To sign up, click on the magnifying glass, just as you always have. Use the left and right arrows at the top of the page to change to another month.
 



Email Reminders for Monitors

Also, we have implemented a feature to automatically send email reminders to Monitor volunteers. Emails will be sent to volunteers two days prior to their session and the day prior. This relieves monitors from the task of notifying next day monitors.

 

Reserving Studio Time

Once we return to the studio, members will need to reserve a workstation and 3-hour time slot. "Workstations" are table-tops, sitting wheels, and standing wheels. Only 12 members are allowed in the club at a time to do work, so reservations are a must. There will be more details and how to make reservations, as we get close to re-opening.

 

Enjoy your summer and stay safe!

 

Grand Clay Arts' Grateful Hearts

Sharon Lucia

The studio might be closed but the hearts, and creativity, of our members keep beating on.

Wanting a way to show appreciation to the dedicated staff on the numerous front lines at our local hospitals, our very own Jan Nolan conceived the Grand Clay Arts "Grateful Hearts Project."

Enlisting the talents of our members who worked from their home studios, at their kitchen tables and in their (warm) garages, the quarantine did not stop them as they created more than 440 hearts from 225 pounds of donated clay.  The project started in March and culminated at the end of June when the hearts were presented to the executive members of the local Banner/Del Webb Hospital for distribution.

Thanks to club members Nancy Boggs, Fred Hagen, Jan Nolan, Pat O'Brien, Odette Olson, Cathy Rick, Lee Root, Sharon Rothzeid, Jeanne Rudolph, Sheryl Ryan, Lynne Shanrock, Cyndi Swintek and Dick Walker who were so very gracious and generous in donating their talents, time, glazes and kilns in making this project a success. 

During this most challenging and uncertain time in our lives, we give heartfelt thanks to all who are doing the utmost to keep us safe and healthy.

Editor's Note:  We extend our gratitude to Bruce Lucas, Sharon Lucia and Sam Valenti for their invaluable contributions.

Banner Staff Receives Heartfelt Donation

Daily Independent Article

 

Sun City Grand Clay Arts Club honors efforts

                      

[SUBMITTED PHOTO]

Banner staff was thanked by the Sun City Grand Clay Arts Club.


 

The Sun City Grand Clay Arts Club presented the staff at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center, 14502 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West, with 440 hand-crafted clay hearts to salute hospital employees battling COVID-19 on the frontlines.

Club members made the one-of-a-kind hearts in their homes as they were quarantined during the past several months, and delivered them to the hospital as part of the club’s “Grateful Hearts” Recognition Award.

According to a club news release, the idea of making hearts for hospital staff was conceived by club member Jan Nolan, who was able to get the other members to turn 225 pounds of clay into meaningful works of art that would help express the gratitude they have for the hospital’s staff.

We’re so thankful to have received these special gifts,” Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center CEO Sharon Lind stated. “With donations like this, our medical teams can be comforted knowing that people in our local communities are thinking of them and appreciate the sacrifices they are making during this time.”

Prior to quarantine, the club hosted two sales per year featuring members’ wares; one in the spring and the other in fall.

Visit grandclayarts.com.

                               
                                 The club created, hand-crafted clay hearts.

ORIGINAL STORY ONLINE:

https://yourvalley.net/sun-city-independent/stories/banner-staff-receives-heartfelt-donation-from-local-artists,170481

GCA Newsletter - July 2020