Club News DECEMBER 2015

From the Owner, Robin Robertson
It Feels Good to Give  
 
Every day I am filled with gratitude for the people in my life, this wonderful business of helping others to live healthier, happier lives, my own good health, and the opportunities that I am fortunate enough to follow.  I want to say "thank you" to you for being part of my life. You mean so much to me.

Each year in December, we like to offer a way to "give" to others.  I was listening to a radio program yesterday that interviewed children.  Each child was asked, if they had already received several gifts, would they like to receive another gift or instead give it to a child who had received no gifts?  You can guess their answers - give it to the child who had none.

I feel very fortunate to not worry about a roof over my head, warm clothes, or enough food.  I have plenty.  But sadly, many others right here in Whatcom County, do not.  I hope you'll join me in giving perhaps what would be "another gift," instead, to someone who is hoping for just one.

This year  we are working with Interfaith Coalition to provide gifts for homeless families and those in need.  We'd love it if you could donate just one item from the list below.

Gift Donations December 8 - 20th
Please help us provide these unwrapped presents...
Ideas for Gifts Appreciated by All Families
  • Gift certificates to grocery stores, Fred Meyer, Target, WalMart, etc.
  • Gift certificates to inexpensive restaurants
  • Socks, gloves, hats, sweatshirts for men and teenage boys (L or XL)
  • Children's books (classics and best sellers)
  • Crafts and art supplies, including crayons and coloring books
  • Scented lotions, soaps, personal hygiene products
  • Warm hats, scarves and mittens for adults and children
  • Diapers in a variety of sizes
  • Popular toys for children of different ages
  • Small hand tools, kitchen utensils
  • Phone calling cards
  • Passes to movie theaters
  • Passes to Arne Hanna Aquatic Center
  • Towels (kitchen and bathroom) and twin-size sheets
  • Gift cards for haircuts
Remember, those for whom you purchase gifts are homeless families with very limited income to purchase "luxury" or "fun" items. Passes to local recreational or entertainment centers would give a family the opportunity to have a fun outing together. For many mothers, it has been some time since they had the means to select their own styles and colors of clothing to wear. They would be thrilled to be able to shop for themselves or their children, using a gift card to a retail store.
 
We are requesting that these gifts not be wrapped. This will allow us to more easily match a gift to a recipient.  We welcome any other ideas you may have. Thank you for participating in the Holiday Gifts Program. Your kindness brightens the holidays for families who otherwise would be without the joy this season can bring.

Interfaith Coalition is a community of many faiths working together to eliminate homelessness and poverty in Whatcom County. The Interfaith congregations collaborate to fill gaps in human services and to meet housing and other needs of marginalized people.

Interfaith Coalition Values

  • All people deserve to live in a safe home.
  • All people have dignity and need to be treated with respect.
  • Services are offered without regard to religious affiliation.
  • We respect each person's religious choices and value the power of diverse faiths working together.

Your Club Gives Back
Robin & Doug
Doug and I believe strongly in the importance of community participation and giving.  We especially like to support our members in their efforts to help organizations and, when we are able, are happy to donate services for your charity events.  Just ask! 

The 2015 Bellingham Tennis Club & Fairhaven Fitness donations of over $20,000 include:

Ankgor Children's Hospital, Arthritis Foundation, Bellingham Festival of Music, Bellingham Sister Cities, Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, Bellingham Women's Bike Festival, Blue Skies for Children, Boys & Girls Club of Whatcom County, Digestive Health Alliance, Doctors Without Borders, Dollars for Scholars, Geneva Elementary Auction, Golf for Veterans, Habitat for Humanity, Historic Fairhaven Association, Homeport Learning Center, Interfaith Coalition, Law Advocates, Light the Night, Lighthouse Mission/Agape House, Lowell School PTA, Mount Baker Bicycle Club, Sean Humphrey House, Sehome PTSA, Silver Beach Elementary, St. Paul's Academy, The Cottage School, Whatcom Community Foundation, Women Sharing Hipe, WTA Smart Trips, WWU Athletics, and our own Tennis Scholarship for 4 high school students valued at over $10,000.
2 Spin Bikes for Sale! 

We are selling two wonderful spin bikes.
We are asking only $900.00 each + tax
The Spinning Blade Ion
Retails for  $2200

Bikes will be sold "AS-IS", U-Haul, they have had quarterly maintenance and were purchased 10/23/13.  We are replacing them with the Keiser M3i bikes in our group room so that all the equipment is the same and we have more flexibility. 


Members of the Month
Victor and Sara Ramos

As another year comes to a close and a fresh slate is beckoning from our calendars, we are each presented with a unique opportunity. We hold the ability to map out our 2016. Instead of letting the days slip by, we have the power to be in charge of our time. Our December Members of the Month are dreamers and DOERS, inspiring us all to take our precious time and turn it into a grand adventure.
 
Meet Victor and Sara Ramos, a couple whose humor and love for life radiates both on and off the tennis court. One chat with them will leave you jotting down your own bucket list, and finding laughter in tasks both big and small - from house cleaning to traveling the world. "The past is gone! Life is way too short for regrets!" Victor says with a smile. Victor and Sara have known each other since Sara was 9 years old, and have been together for over 40 years.
 
Their sense of adventure has led them to live in several very different cities across the world. Born and raised in Santiago, Chile, the young Ramos' moved to New Jersey where Victor had some friends. From there, the couple lived in Canada, Connecticut, San Francisco and most recently settling in Bellingham. They adore Bellingham for its proximity to Seattle and Vancouver, and as a home base for even more worldwide travel.
 
In Connecticut, Victor and Sara belonged to a tennis club where "King of the Court" was played, and the Ramos' would regularly spend 5 or 6 hours playing each day, rotating courts and opponents. Eventually, work and life took the place of tennis. Upon moving to Bellingham, the Ramos' heard about the Bellingham Tennis Club and Fairhaven Fitness from someone at the college. They came to check it out, and signed up as members that very day. While they hadn't played tennis in over 15 years, it didn't take long for them to get plugged in and shake off the rust. They signed up for private lessons and clinics, and now enjoy playing several times a week; mixed doubles, singles against each other and other members.
 
Given the Ramos' sense of adventure, it is not surprising the couple has a bucket list. Already checked off the list has been a trip to Machu Picchu for Sara, and waking up in the morning, opening up a window and basking in the sun shining down on the Mediterranean Ocean for Victor. When life is viewed as an adventure, it is easier to put negative things into perspective. "Bad things happen on the side of the road. Dump your load and keep on going," are some words of wisdom from Victor.
 
We are thankful the Ramos adventure has taken a turn in Bellingham and that tennis is back in their lives. During this season of reflection, take some advice from Victor and Sara and make a bucket list for 2016. What do you want your adventure to look like?
 
Our Members of the Month receive a $25 gift certificate to the Pro Shop.

Welcome New Members!
Please help us welcome the following members to the Club by introducing yourself and helping them feel at home around the club!  
               
Fitness
New Member Social
Caron Gargano 
Ed Sugar
Holly Buskirk
Jane Sloane
Jill Stanton
Kerri Sloan
Tom Buskirk

Tennis
Chris Schepper
Geoffrey Muller
Jason Hiller
Jessyca Arthur-Cameselle
Jessica Williams
Han Hiller
Mateo Cameselle
Nico Cameselle
Pedro Cameselle
Rob Janicki
Robyn Jones

Wellness Wednesday
Join us
Wednesday, December 9th at 12:00 & 6:30 pm
for Wellness Wednesday!


This month's theme: Easy Clean Eating Tips plus Smoothie Samples

Clean eating is one of the hottest buzzwords in the world of health and fitness right now. But what does it mean? If some food is clean, is other food dirty? How does one eat "clean?"  We'll share simple and easy tips for improving your nutrition and your health.

PLUS - sample our Holiday Superfood Smoothies!



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MEMBER REFERRAL GIFT
 
Get a FREE $25 Gift Card or 30 Minute Tennis Lesson or Personal Training Session as our
"thank you"  for every new member you refer.
 
 
Bellingham Tennis Club & Fairhaven Fitness
360-733-5050   www.bellinghamtennis.com