North County Newcomers Club Blog

Harvest Ball

Sun, 30 Sep 2018 19:23:11 GMT

In lieu of a December holiday party, this year the annual dinner and dance will be the Harvest Ball. There are numerous advantages to moving the event to October, including more location options. The music will be provided by Joy Bonner, an enthusiastic and talented singer along with the band, The Residuals. Some of you may have seen Joy perform this summer at the Concert in the Park or the Paso Robles Golf Club. Registration is now closed but those of you who were lucky enough to register in time will have a fabulous evening!

Holiday Party 2017

Tue, 03 Oct 2017 23:41:56 GMT

NCNC's 2017 Holiday Party will be Thursday, December 14th 2017, from 6:00-10:00 pm, at the SpringHill Suites Marriott (Atascadero) ballroom. Treat yourself to a fun, relaxing evening with your NCNC friends, enjoying a delicious dinner and dessert. Dance to live music as the Wine Country Troubadours entertain us.

Registration forms for the annual holiday dinner and dance are available at the October and November NCNC luncheons. Online payment and registration is also available. DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT is Friday December 1st at 8:00 pm.

Cost is $75 per person. ADVANCE PAYMENT IS REQUIRED, by December 1st.

You have the option of paying online using your credit card/PayPal. Unlike the luncheons, however, you need to pay in advance--there will no payments accepted at the door. So if you choose to not pay with your credit card or PayPal account, you will need to pay by check. Payment is due by December 1st. If your payment is not received by that date, then your reservation will be cancelled.

In the event you need to cancel your reservation, you must cancel by the Friday, December 1st deadline in order to receive a refund of your payment. We cannot make any refunds after the December 1st deadline.

This dinner and dance is a club event, which means it's closed to the general public. The event is open to NCNC members, alumni, and their guests.

Singles on the Go

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 20:04:24 GMT

Join other Singles in March for a Play (Noises Off), WildFlowers (Lunch at Pozo), Lunch (Ragged Point), Death Valley & Las Vegas (2 day trip, open to all Newcomers) and much, much, more. Lots of laughing, sharing and of course, eating!!!

Holiday Party 2016

(Past member) — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 22:22:08 GMT

Although when the temps are in the triple digits, it's hard to think about Halloween, much less Christmas, the upcoming holiday season is upon us. Registration forms for the annual holiday dinner and dance have been distributed and there are thirty-four Newcomers who have already registered and paid. Newcomers know a good time when they see one!

This year, for the first time, the club is offering on-line registration for this event. This way you can sign up while wearing your pajamas after you realize another day has gone by and you forgot to fill out and mail the form! Just as with the luncheons, you have the option of paying online using your credit card. Unlike the luncheons, however, you need to pay in advance--there will no payments accepted at the door. So if you choose to not pay with your credit card or PayPal account, you will need to pay by check and that check must be received by December 1. If your payment is not received by that date, then your reservation will be cancelled and we will give your seat(s) up to whomever is on the waiting list.

This dinner and dance is a club event, which means it's closed to the general public. The event is open to Members, alumni, and their guests. There is no dress code; just come in your favorite festive attire.

Online registration opens October 1.

What Price, Vanity?

(Past member) — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 02:30:00 GMT

On a self-evaluation I completed recently to determine if I needed hearing assistance, I scored 24 points, indicating moderate impairment. Some of the questions were a relief, such as, "Do you have trouble following conversation when 2 or more people are talking at the same time?" Um, yeah. I thought it was undiagnosed Attention Deficit Disorder but it turns out it's just hearing loss.

Other questions, such as "Do people you talk to seem to mumble" or "Do people get annoyed with you because you misunderstand what they say" pertained to one person in particular--my husband! He has the annoying habit of mumbling something to me from another room while I'm running water at the kitchen faucet, then getting mad when I don't understand what he said. Clearly something had to be done.

So I looked into a hearing aid. Sigh. I hate to admit that I'm getting old, but I've known for a long time that my hearing was deteriorating. I've had hearing evaluations in the past, which confirmed that there was some loss, but the audiologists just said that I wasn't ready for a hearing aid and would find it too annoying. Well, now I find the hearing loss more annoying and am ready to do something about it.

One web site states that hearing loss begins as early as age 25 and there are many factors that cause it--noise related, genetic, ruptured ear drum are a few. While I didn't work with a jack hammer or chain saws, I have attended my share of rock concerts and grew up with the notion that music was better loud. Paying for it now with permanent hearing loss.

And the key word is paying. Hearing aids can range in price from a few thousand dollars for behind the ear models to ten thousand dollars for discreet inside-the-ear-canal aids. Then there are add-on features, such as blue-tooth technology, that add to the cost. If you want to stream music or take phone calls directly from your Apple iProducts, there's even an app for that.

In addition to hearing aids, there are also sound amplifiers, called PSAPS (personal sound amplification products). Although inexpensive, the way I understand it, they are more suitable for an elderly person living alone and conversing with one person at a time than for an active Baby Boomer attending a Newcomers' luncheon.

As the first of the boomers turn 70 (not me!), the technology we championed offers us a way to save money on hearing aids and order direct through the Internet. Yes, it by-passes the audiologist, which is not generally recommended, but can be the right choice for some. In my case, I have yearly exams where the doctor looks at my ears and checks for wax, which can affect hearing. So far, no problem there.

So what's a gal to do? Shell out big bucks for a device that only her audiologist knows for sure she's wearing or take her chances on a small, almost flesh-tone, behind the ear unit and hope it's not too obvious, then spend the savings on a shopping spree at Chico's? I opted for the second choice. I just ordered a pair-via telephone-that I found online, which meant no fitting, no programming, and no repeat visits to get it right. The sales rep answered all my questions and wasn't in some Third World country reading from a script. He knew his stuff. I have a 45 day trial and paid half what my mother recently paid for a similar model through more traditional channels. They'll arrive in a week and I can't wait. Neither can my husband.

Board of Directors for 2016-2017 Term

(Past member) — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 19:33:21 GMT

The search is on to fill the board for the upcoming year. Only those who have been members for less than fives years may serve on the board; alumni are not eligible. And that's a good thing, because this is a Newcomers club and once you've become established in the community you may not be as in-tune to the needs of those who are new to the area. Also, the by-laws prohibit board members from serving in the same position for consecutive years, so by necessity new board members are needed to serve each year.

The board meets monthly, for a couple of hours, and sets the course of the club. They make decisions from where the General Membership Meetings (luncheons) will be held, to how much to spend on the annual holiday party. Most of us are retired but have skills of value to the club, such as accounting or publishing. Please consider being of service to your club by participating on the board. Contact the club president (see your directory) to learn what positions are open.

Upcoming Holiday Party 2015

(Past member) — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 17:34:25 GMT

Holiday Dinner and Dance event information.

Holiday Party Event page on Facebook

Allegretto Hotel discount rate for Newcomers

(Past member) — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 17:41:54 GMT

Are you coming to the Holiday dinner and dance at Allegretto? If you're planning to take advantage of the special rate the Allegretto Hotel has offered, get your reservations in NOW before they release the block of rooms set aside for us. Use this link:
https://bookings.ihotelier.com/bookings.jsp…. Or call Patricia Kenny at 369-2511.

November General Membership Meeting

Mon, 02 Nov 2015 05:26:58 GMT

Are you coming to the upcoming luncheon at the Springhill Suites in Atascadero? If so, speed up your check in process by paying online. You can use your PayPal account or charge your credit or debit card if you don't have a PayPal account.

Upoming Holiday Party 2015

Sun, 18 Oct 2015 19:03:37 GMT

The annual Holiday dinner and dance is December 10 at the brand new Allegretto Vineyard Resort by Ayres. Reservations and payment must be received by December 2. This event is open to all members, alumni, and their non-member guests. See the Members tab for the flyer (you must log in to view the Members tab), or view the Newsletter.

New Activities

(Past member) — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 21:47:00 GMT

Our Activities chair reports that we have had 36 new sign-ups for March

We are still looking for an AHHH Coordinator

We added two new activities to the club's growing list of things to do: Woodturning and Scrapbooking/Cardmaking.

By the Numbers

(Past member) — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 07:42:37 GMT

As of Feb 1, this is where our members live:

Templeton	22
San Miguel	8
Paso Robles	132
Cambria	4
Bradley	2
Atascadero	44

New board of directors forming

(Past member) — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 00:16:08 GMT

Do you have a special talent or just want to help your club? The search is on for members to sit on the 2015-2016 board. By-laws require that the president be a member of the current board of directors but all other positions are open. The term runs from June 2015 through the end of May 2016. Contact the president if you're interested. The positions available are:

Vice President/Programs	Hospitality	Historian
Second VP/Membership	Newsletter	Grapevine
Third VP/Luncheons	Chairperson-At-Large	Reservations
Secretary	Publicity	Sunshine
Treasurer	Ways and Means	Webmaster

Holiday Dinner and Dance

(Past member) — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 06:04:52 GMT

The always popular annual dinner and dance will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2014, at the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom. The room is beautifully decorated and has a large dance floor. Registration forms will be distributed along with the newsletter. You may wear whatever you want, but many members use this as an opportunity to dress festively. You'll see everything from bow ties to bolo ties! Open to members, alumni, and guests. Price is $60.00 per person, payable at time of reservation. All reservations must be received by Dec. 4.

You can also view (and print) the reservation form by logging in to this website and selecting the Members tab.

6:00 - 7:00	Cocktail Hour and Passed Hors d’oeuvres
7:00 - 8:00	Sit-down Dinner
8:00 - 10:30	Dancing to the Mighty Croon Dogs!

Website Update

(Past member) — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 03:24:39 GMT

On Tuesday, August 19th, between 6 and 10 p.m., the host server will be installing a web server update. During this time frame the site will be unavailable for approximately 5 - 10 minutes.

Change to Luncheon Policy

(Past member) — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 21:08:56 GMT

At the last board meeting, the Board Of Directors voted to amend the luncheon policy, giving priority registration to dues-paying members and their guests. Reservations by Alumni and Non-Members will be accepted seven days past the initial announcement date. This will allow members to attend events at venues that have limited seating. The reasoning behind this is that the luncheons are also General Membership Meetings.

What's a guest? Someone who is a potential member, or a friend or family of the member who is visiting. Attendance at GMM/luncheons is limited to 3 visits per year.

August Board Meeting

Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:17:44 GMT

Next board meeting will be August 25 at 10:00 AM.

Location: Centennial Park, White Oak room, 600 Nickerson Dr, Paso Robles.

Event Registration Reminders

(Past member) — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 17:23:48 GMT

Did you get a reminder to register for the August Dinner when your spouse had already registered you? It's because you were registered under your spouse's membership, so the system views you as a guest of your spouse and doesn't record your registration individually. The reminder to register messages are sent automatically to members who do not show as having registered. Your spouse should have received a confirmation when he or she registered, and as long as your name is listed on the confirmation, you are also registered.

Although we ask couples to register together in order to simplify the invoice process, this is an unfortunate side effect.

Event Registration

(Past member) — Sat, 19 Jul 2014 16:57:42 GMT

If you and your spouse/domestic partner are both members and attending the same event, you don't have to register individually. You can register your spouse/domestic partner at the same time you register yourself. Select the "Add Spouse or Guest" button on the registration form to add their registration. This button used to say "Add Guest" but it's now changed to avoid confusion. You don't need to enter the address of your spouse/domestic partner, since it's the same as yours. Just enter their e-mail address, first and last name plus the meal option.

Membership Renewal

(Past member) — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 00:48:15 GMT

Membership renewal is due on the first of July. Still only $15 per individual; $30 for a family or domestic partnership. You can mail a check to Membership at the P.O. Box address listed at the bottom of this page. Or you can bring a check to the upcoming luncheon on July 2 at the Cambria Pines Lodge.

Membership allows participation in the numerous club activities and access to the membership directory.

Wild Apricot Upgrade on Saturday June 7

(Past member) — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 06:34:16 GMT

From Wild Apricot:

"This is a reminder your website and membership database will be migrated to Version 5 of Wild Apricot on 07 Jun 2014.

The data migration process will start approximately at 01:00 (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada). There will be a downtime of several hours."

I doubt if many of you will be trying to access the system at 1:00 in the morning. It should be completed, hopefully without incident, by the time we get up on Saturday morning.

Installation of Officers

Sat, 24 May 2014 06:25:20 GMT

The Board of Directors for 2014-2015 will be installed at the June luncheon and General Meeting at Hunter Ranch Golf Course. See the newsletter for the names of the incoming board members and the positions they will hold.

Gifts for Seniors

(Past member) — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 21:34:59 GMT

Sadly, many elderly people are alone and have very little resources. The North County Newcomers Club participates in a Senior Gift program. At the November luncheon, select an envelope with a gift request attached. These a separated by town: Atascadero or Paso Robles, and a senior has asked for some small thing--slippers or stamps. The gifts range around $15 and are collected at the December luncheon and distributed to the appropriate person.

Paso Robles Toy Bank

(Past member) — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 07:23:10 GMT

Could you imagine being a child and finding no gifts on Christmas morning? The club participates in a toy drive every year. At the November luncheon, you can select a green or red paper "stocking". The stocking will list the age and sex of a child. You will purchase an age appropriate toy and bring it, unwrapped, to the December luncheon. All toys will be collected and brought to the Toy Bank of the Greater Paso Robles area, which includes the communities of Paso Robles and San Miguel.