Questions, comments, etc. regarding This Week's SCOV Report: If you have a question, comment or other response that you like to make regarding an item in this report, you may reply to this message. Depending on the nature of your response (comment, question, etc.), I will acknowledge your reply, answer your questions or take other appropriate action(s) in as timely a manner as possible.

Fitness Center Project: During the past week the project encountered a couple of challenges. First, it was determined that there was insufficient electric power for the HVAC system and then it was found that the main electrical line which is underground is encased in concrete. Both of these issues resulted in change orders and additional cost. In spite of these challenges, the project is moving along well, still within budget and on time according the W.E. O'Neil. Work on the interior during the past week included tile installation in the locker rooms, drywall installation/taping, painting, HVAC work, and more. Sidewalks have been installed on the exterior and some grading has been completed. In addition, the aluminum store front frames have been installed and several of the windows have also been installed. The spa should also realize some more progress beginning today in that tile installation will begin. In addition to the physical project that in taking place plans are also in process to have a grand opening. Tentatively the opening is scheduled for January 9th.

Fitness Center Project Updates: Would you like more information about the status of the Fitness Center construction project? If so, attend the Board/GM Coffees. At these events, until the project is completed, a member of the Fitness Center Construction Task Force will provide a report and answer any questions you might have. The next Coffee is scheduled for December 18th at 10:00 a.m. Hohokam Room.  It's your fitness center being built with your money, so I urge you to come and learn what's happening with its construction. Detailed information about what the Fitness Center Construction Task Force is doing is available on our website www.scovaz.com. From the home page, click on "Association" and then on "Fitness Center Info". There you will find the minutes of the meetings that the Task Force has with the architect and contractor. You can also send your questions about the project to afcremodel@suncityorovalley.com.

Help Needed: Emergency Preparedness Committee: The committee is diligently working on ways to help our residents become prepared for natural disasters and other emergencies that may occur. If you're interested in helping your neighbors and yourself, please consider joining this committee. If you are interested, email me at bmariani@suncityorovalley.com

Sound Board Operator for our Activity Center performances and speakers. Training will take place to achieve full knowledge of the system's set up and operation by our current expert, who is leaving SCOV. This is a fun job once you learn the Board. No technical knowledge required. For more info, contact Al Burdi 818-3516.

Community Assistance Committee needs someone to collect and sort aluminum cans on Sunday. It is not too time consuming or difficult to do since the cans are collected every day. Either Jack Saatkamp (825-4376) or Dave Johnson (825-6994) can explain the job and help train anyone who is interested.

Community Assistance Committee needs some help on the Telephone Reservation Squad. They usually work one or two days per month (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays) from 8-9 AM. They answer the telephone for CAC and reserve items from the Loan Room. Sue Pearsey 818-9777 heads this group and will train anyone who is interested.

Maintenance Truck for Sale: One of the maintenance trucks has been replaced with a new, larger truck. This 2003 Nissan Frontier King Cab has 78,000 miles, A/C, auto, 4 cylinder, power steering and is in good condition. Kelly blue book for a good condition truck as described is $7,062. Asking price is $6,950. If you are interested in the truck, contact Ken Sandrock at 917-8078 or Bob Mariani at 917-8080. 

Electric Power Shutdown: The fitness center project required and will require that some of the facilities will be without power. We were initially informed that the power would be shut down in the Fitness Center and Artisan Center only. However, as it turned out the Artisan Center has had power and the Café/Pro Shop and Welcome Center were without power during some times this week. A way has been identified to maintain power to the Café and Pro Shop next week. However, the Fitness Center pool will not have power and will be closed all day Monday and Tuesday December 16th and 17th. The Welcome Center will not have power all day Monday December 16th and for 4 hours in the morning on Tuesday December 17th. The Welcome Center will be open but will have very limited services due to the lack of power and will not have any meetings scheduled in the facility.

Finance & Budget meeting will be at the Catalina Vista Mount Kimball room Monday afternoon at 1:00 instead of the Welcome Center Conference Room 3 due to the scheduled power outage for the AFC.

Do you write a monthly Tipster article for your Club or Committee? 

If so, you are required to attend one training session. Classes are scheduled for

Monday, January 6, 9 AM

Monday, February 3, 9 AM

All classes: Welcome Center/Conference Room 3

To sign up for a class go to www.scovaz.com hold your mouse over News & Info, scroll down to Events, click on the Tipster Writers' Classes and select the class you want to take: fill out a class form.

Seasonal holiday lighting: Seasonal lighting is permitted from Thanksgiving to January 15. Total light output from the sum of all holiday lighting shall not exceed 650 lumens, the equivalent of 50 watts of incandescent lighting. All holiday lighting must be turned off between 11 PM and sunrise.

Golf Cart Parade December 21: Registration for the Parade has been extended until December 19th. Let's make this a fun event. Sign up your group if you don't have a golf cart. Be sure to come watch the parade. It starts at noon from the Posse Shack. If you don't have a registration form, they are available at the Welcome Center. Please drop off completed registration forms at the Welcome Center

Ukulele Club: Kudos to the Ukulele Club. An extensive article was in the Arizona Daily Star on December 12th about the Club that is led by Jean James. This club of about 48 members ranges from the 50s to the 90s. Some of the members are excellent on the ukulele and some not so good but the important thing is that all have fun, fun and more fun.

Cookie Exchange- December 17th 1 pm: There is still time to enjoy the afternoon with some coffee and cookies. Bring 3 dozen cookies and leave with two dozen of different kinds. There is no charge for this event.  We will supply the coffee and you supply the fun. If you plan to attend please obtain a ticket at the Welcome Center so we know how many to plan for. You must bring cookies to attend.

Gift Shop Information:

• Holiday Season Extended Hours: The Gift Shop will be open Saturday, December 14 & 21, 9 AM-4 PM.
• It was previously reported that the Gift Shop will be closed next Monday and Tuesday December 16th & 17th; however, the Gift Shop will be open normal business hours on Monday & Tuesday.
• MONDAY MADNESS will be on Monday, December 23, 9 AM-12:30 PM.

Disaster Preparedness Training Offered to Oro Valley and Tucson Residents: Here's your chance to receive excellent disaster preparedness training locally and free of charge. At least one person in every committee and club are urged to consider this training and of course anyone is encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. Registration instructions are below. Also, it will be greatly appreciated if those of you who decide to take this training will please advise me by email at bmariani@suncityorovalley.com

What: Community Emergency Response Training (CERT)

• A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved course, CERT training takes about 20 hours to complete and provides critical skills in emergency preparedness and response.

Participants learn how to:

• Identify and anticipate hazards
• Reduce fire hazards in the home and workplace
• Extinguish small fires
• Assist emergency responders
• Conduct light search and rescue
• Set up medical treatment areas
• Apply basic medical techniques
• Help reduce survivor stress

When: 6 pm - 10 pm Tues/Wed Jan 21, 22 & Tues/Wed Jan 28/29; and 8 am - 5 pm Sat Feb 1, 2014

Where: OVPD Tangerine Substation Training Room, 1920 E. Tangerine Rd, Oro Valley, AZ 85755-6240

Who should take this training?

• People interested in taking an active role in hometown preparedness
• Neighborhood Watch groups, community leaders, parents
• Communities of faith, Scouting and youth organizations
• Students, teachers, and administrators
• Members of clubs and civic organizations, local government

To register: Seating is limited. Contact Cassidy at 229-4964, csumpter@orovalleyaz.gov by Jan 17th 2014 to reserve your place.

Library Book Sale: The SCOV Library is having their annual holiday book and media sale. Books, DVDs and audiobooks are on sale at bargain prices. Come and see our great selection. All proceeds go toward purchase of new books and movies.

AFC Pool Information Line: During the construction of the fitness center, it will be necessary to close the pool from time-to-time. To assist you with knowing when these closures will take place, an information line has been put into place. If you'll call 917-8088 before you go to the pool, you'll receive a message letting you know if the pool is open or closed.