April was a busy time for the Niguel Shores Men’s Club.
We met twice, once in the morning with distinguished guest speakers from the city of Dana Point, and once in the evening for our inaugural Evening Mixer Event. Both meetings drew good crowds. At the evening meeting April 16, more than a few fresh faces showed up. It was fun for the morning regulars to mix it up with old friends who find it challenging to arise at the break of dawn. The evening crowd was full of vim and vigor and, after an adult beverage or two, ready for a little bocce ball. With some useful guidance from Umpire Eric Eckes, the Bocce Ball contest was underway. The competition was fierce.
Who knew so many among us are Bocce Ballers? After a few near misses and close calls, John Barbee and Gary Bolles took home the trophies. Congratulations to both. The Shores new bocce ball court, adjacent to the new multi-purpose sports court, was a perfect venue for our evening meet. Let’s tip our collective hats to member Gary Wilson for his extensive, thoughtful work on this Shores amenities project.
The evening mixer followed in the wake of our April 2 breakfast when John Gabbard, Men’s Club member and Dana Point City Councilman, took the podium with his colleague Mike Killebrew, Dana Point City Manager. Gabbard is from Kokomo, Indiana originally, retired from the U.S. Marine Corp, and was involved in the building of some 15,000 homes in So Cal as an executive in the home construction business after his military service. Both John and Mike shared the podium to bring us up to date on many city programs and activities, such as the update of the city plan to make Monarch Plaza a mixed- use property. They explained “mixed-use” generally refers to multi-story buildings with commercial at street level and residential on upper floors. City staff has also made the residential remodel building permit/approval process more user-friendly through enhancements to the online application process. There was also some commentary about the revised proposal for the redevelopment of the Monarch Beach Villas on Niguel Road to include 700- plus units and at least one eight-story tower. Whoa! Coun- cilman Gabbard closed by distributing his personal con- tact information and inviting interested parties to contact him directly regarding any city-related concerns. It was a highly participative meeting, and both speakers were appreciated with a warm round of applause.
This month we welcome speaker Julie Riffe from Riffe International on Tuesday, May 7. In addition to a great breakfast, we might just learn something about diving and spear fishing.
If not yet a member, come join us at one of our twice- monthly meetings. I think you will be impressed with the quality of the people who comprise our membership, and by the friendly, open character of our assemblies. You will enjoy the stimulating and thoughtful presentations of our guest speakers. We welcome all interested parties. You do not have to be a resident of the Shores to be a member of
the Men’s Club.
—Tim Moore
Plan ahead!
The Men’s Club
Annual Pancake Breakfast
Thursday, July 4,
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Niguel Shores Clubhouse
■ Cost is still only $8.00.
■ We request that everyone purchase breakfast tickets ahead of time.
■ Order online: pancakes.niguelshoresmensclub.org.
■ You can select a time for indoor or outdoor seating.
■ If you are unable to order online, please contact the NSCA office and a volunteer from the Men’s Club will call to take your order.
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