 LVST 2008 Season News
July 2, 2008
LVST 256 - Scott Valley 301
What a great meet – the score didn't go our way, but the races were close and Scott Valley pushed LVST in every age group!
The score was closer than last year – and we'll give it another shot at Champs – good job LVST!
SAT July 19th Marinwood - Away Meet
Last duel meet of the season! Marinwood has always
been one of the finest meets of the season. Many of
our schoolmates, neighbors and friends are on the team
and it is a great day of friends and swimming. Plan
on staying for the end of the meet, after the last relay,
we swim the fastest boy & girl from each age group
+ coaches (yes! coaches!) in a relay called the Hambone,
and the winner gets (you guessed it) a bronzed hambone
to keep until next year. After the Hambone Relay, we
let the parents (who have been waiting all year to show
their stuff!) form relay teams and race both Medley
& Free relays. Also, we have a "fun relay"
which is the perfect end to a fun meet – 3 events,
a total of 7 teams, so we need your participation if
you can swim!
MARINWOOD PARENT RELAYS
Here we go! We have 2 Medley relays and 3 Freestyle
relays – as well as 2½ fun relays teams
to fill – here is what I need:
if you want to swim a specific stroke – tell me
asap. If you want to swim freestyle in the free relay
or if you want to be part of the fun relay – tell
me by Monday. On Monday I will start calling people
and asking people to participate. Our goal is to get
as many parents in swim suits as possible. Our kids
do it all season, so we can make it happen for one race!
No cameras allowed (yeah, right! ;-) and it is the most
fun you will have all week. Let
me know!
HOLIDAY WEEKEND
No practice on Thursday or Friday, no car wash this
weekend due to rationing. So make the most of a relaxing
holiday, go to the Marin county fair, go for a hike,
relax, and recharge for the final 2 weeks of the season!
Champs
Eric's email summed it up – Championships on July
19th will be the grand finale to a successful and rewarding
swim season. Lots of details - so please read all the
emails that will fly in the next 2 weeks - This year,
the 8 & unders as well as 9-10 race in the morning,
the older swimmers race in the afternoon. One note:
parking will be a challenge due to construction, so
plan to arrive early and carpool if you can. It is a
great day and a great way to end the season.
Patrick Hunter has sent out the details of the meet
in emails to the team, if you have any questions, contact
Patrick or Nancy.
AWARDS NIGHT July 20
This final gathering of the team for the season and
it brings out the best in everyone. We eat dinner and
get to celebrate the team and all of our accomplishments
of the season. We'll do potluck "build your whole
sandwich" (stay tuned for details) and sit on the
pool deck to honor our team. Remember – bring your
own chairs to sit – as we are a big crowd and chairs
are few and far between on this night!
SLIDESHOW - We have an amazing slideshow each
year to top off the season, shown after the awards on
July 20th. Be sure to bring tissues - especially for
the younger swimmers - we are all so proud! If you have
pictures from the season and want to share them for
the show, email nancy@applegarth.net, or put them in
my folder on the pool deck in DVD form - thanks!
Upcoming dates:
- July 5th No meet – holiday weekend
- July 5th Car Wash cancelled due to water
rationing
- July 12th Marinwood Away Meet
- July 19th Champs
- July 20th Awards Dinner
Have a great 4th of July! See you at the pool!!
June 24, 2008
LVST 401 - Rolling Hills 157
Some fast times! I saw best times posted at least every
other race!!
Great job to everyone!! It was a hot one – but
thanks to the redwood trees on the lawn – we stayed
cool. Thanks to those awesome snack bar folks, BBQing
in that hot sun almost did a few folks in – thanks
for all your hard work!
Saturday June 28th Scott Valley - Home Meet
Last Home meet! Let's make it a good one! Scott Valley
has won
every year – and rumor has it, this year we have
a chance!! I hear
if every swimmer swims a best time – Scott Valley
has us by a mere
20 points – let's go for it! They are another big
team – so
make room – and come ready to swim fast –
if LV beats Scott
Valley – we'll be dancing in the streets!
Speaking if dancing ...
How about that party last weekend?
We had the party of the summer – that is for sure!!
The band was great, Mick played until 1:30am for those
who stepped out early! The music, the dancing and the
spirit were pure rock & roll. Words from the band
put us as their favorite gig of the weekend. What a
perfect evening – the stars were out and that moon,
when it finally came up was enormous! A huge thanks
to Hilary & Bobby Olsen, who pulled the entire evening
together with the auction, bartending and of course
the check out for all the auction winners. If you did
not check out – please email
Hilary. Also, thanks to Philip & Susan Banta
for donating their amazing home for the party and also
to Leslie & Jim Ruhland for all the work in planning
and organizing and to everyone who helped clean up on
Sunday. We have this summer party thing nailed! If you
couldn't make it – we hope to see you next year!
Picture orders are Due Friday, June 27
Please get your picture orders in by Friday. Put your
orders in the
Stilson folder – we'll hopefully have pictures
by the end of the
season.
All Stars
Congratulations to those fast swimmers who swam on
Sunday –
don't worry that your parents weren't their energetic
selves
cheering you on – it is just that all the parents
were setting
records of our own dancing the night before!
Champs
Please email Eric if you are NOT coming to Champs.
Email Eric and put
"champs" in the subject line. We need to know
who is coming and who is not coming, thanks everyone.
Canoe Trip
We had a big day with 24 canoes – 10 miles of
canoeing and good
laughs the whole way. The air was full of smoke and
haze yet we still
made it to the end and had a fun dinner at Fosters Freeze.
Next year we
hope to plan the canoeing trip and the camping trip
rolled into one
– we hope to see you there!
Upcoming dates:
- June 28th Scott Valley Home Meet (last one!)
- July 5th No meet – holiday weekend
- July 5th Car Wash postponed due to water
rationing
- July 19th Champs
- July 20th Awards Dinner
Whew! Big week! Have a great 4th of July
weekend, be safe! See you at
the pool!!
June 18, 2008
LVST 348 - Strawberry 210
Cold & dreary, but the day turned around when we
handed Strawberry their first loss of the season! Great
job to our swimmers – everyone was freezing cold
– but the times were pretty hot!
SAT June 21st Rolling Hills - Home Meet
Don't worry – this team doesn't have 330 swimmers
(like the last meet!) – So the day will hopefully
run smooth and we will be done by 1pm. Please check
your volunteer jobs
and make sure you are on deck when needed, it is such
ciaos when we scramble for a timer or a worker! Thanks
everyone!
LVST Pictures proofs are here!
That was fast! Look in your folder. Order individual
and/or team pictures. After you've decided, put order
envelope in "Stilson" file. Your order will
arrive in your folder in about 3 or 4 weeks. Thank you!
Camping was a Blast!
A blast of cold, foggy air – most of the time
– but we had a great time the swimmers had a ton
of fun. Soccer, the movie in the baseball field, the
river, and of course, the cutest new puppy on earth,
Loni Tuck, made the whole trip worth the drive!! Next
year – we are thinking - 2 nights – include
the canoe trip and make it a fun event that includes
a potluck dinner – what do you think – would
your family join in if we could make that happen? Respond
and let us know!
Canoe Trip – June 25th - Wednesday
Be sure to email
Patrick Hunter to reserve your space. Be sure to
let him know the number coming. We meet at Burkes Canoeing
after the last practice and canoe through the afternoon
(squirt guns and water balloons are a must!!) –
ending up at 5pm or so – tired and happy. A dinner
stop at the Fosters Freeze in Sebastopol concludes a
fun and very active day!
June 21st Auction & Dinner!
We are ready to rock & roll! Thanks to all who
have worked to get our party finalized – Leslie
Ruhland & Hilary Olson once again have lead the
charge for a fun party! The Unauthorized Rolling
Stones along with the former caterer for Pink
Floyd, at the spot where both the Grateful Dead
& the Doobie Brothers played, how can we miss!!
See you there!
A few important facts:
· We are serving a wonderful array of tapas,
so don't plan on a full sit-down dinner this year!!
· The dance floor is crushed granite, so ladies,
wear smart shoes for dancing & the grassy area!
(Don't ruin those brand new stiletto heels!!)
· We will be outside, so plan on the Lucas Valley
chill to cool things down, and bring a jacket!
· The road is dark & windy – flip coins
now to make sure you have a DD driving home! We want
everyone home safe!
· We can take checks & credit cards VISA
& MC – Please no Am EX
· Have a wonderful evening!
Upcoming dates:
- June 21st Rolling Hills – Home Meet
- June 21st LVST Auction & Dinner
- June 22nd All Stars
- June 25th Canoe Trip
- June 28th Scott Valley – Home Meet (last one!)
See you at the pool !!
June 11, 2008
LVST 223 - Sleepy Hollow 337
We gave them a good meet – and had many great
times!! Geez! That pool deck was crowded – but
we pulled it off and the parents from Sleepy Hollow
were very impressed with our little swim team and our
big racers!! `Youngest Racer' award goes to Lexie Eichler,
she swam her first race – she is 4 yrs old! It
only took her mom an hour to regain her composure –
she was so proud! THANKS to the snack bar folks –
and all the extra 'pulled in help' that made the snack
bar run smoothly. One 'mid- meet' run to Safeway for
waters and toilet paper and we made it through –
the burritos were a hit, we promise to have more Skittles
on hand next time, and a special honorable mention goes
to Amy Simpson for cooking over 225 pounds of baked
potatoes for the meet- it will be a long time before
she serves baked potatoes for dinner!!!
RIBBONS
The ribbons for some races were mislabeled – please
send Nancy an email if your swimmer got the wrong ribbon,
or no ribbon at all - we will make it right this week.
nancy@applegarth.net
Sorry!
SAT June 14th Strawberry - Away Meet
Rumor has it the pool deck is small and not much room
to sit – bring a chair if you plan on sitting down!
Eric needs to know if your swimmer is swimming or not
by Tuesday too late for this meet - but next time!)
– please let him know. If you are not swimming
also please let Eric know too – each empty lane
counts up to more and more heats and a longer meet,
help us keep the meet running smoothly be it at our
pool or away. Direction to the pool are in your Parent
handbook, under the June 14th Meet.
!School is Out For Summer!
Summer practice hours start on Friday, June 13th. Check
the website for your swimmers new times. Morning
swim practice is the best!
Camping - June 14th - Casini Ranch Guernville
www.casiniranch.com
Website and directions and all the information you
need to join us for the campout. Did you email Patrick
with your reserved spot to camp? It is loads of fun
and even for those folks who aren't big campers –
it is one night! You will be back in your own bed on
Sunday - bring dinner and S'mores and you are set. The
river will be the place to be if the weather is warm
– so bring some water toys and jump in. Please
email Patrick Hunter phunter@lucasvalley.net
to reserve your space. Campsites are roughly 15$ each
for up to 4 people (take 2 if you have more than on
tent). Email Patrick with your group number and we look
forward to seeing you there!
RSVP Now for the June 21st Auction & Dinner!
Please sign up and buy your tickets!! We need to reserve
the number with the caterer. If you didn't receive an
evite, please email Nancy@applegarth.net
and I will forward it on. It is going to be a beautiful
evening, buy tickets & invite for those friends
in the city suffering through the summer fog. We are
a great group and always welcoem new faces to enjoy
the evening!
Auction Items! We need more great things to offer!!
Please email Hillary Olsen hiliaryolsen@msn.com
with your ideas and items to donate, we offer tax receipts
for all donations!
Upcoming dates:
- June 13 – Summer practice hours start
- June 14 – Away meet against Strawberry
- June 14 – LVST campout
- June 21 – LVST auction & dinner
- June 22 – All Star Meet
- June 25 – Canoe Trip
- June 28 – Home Meet against Scott
Valley
See you at the pool !!
June 4, 2008
LVST Wins Another Meet!
Great swimming this past Saturday in the big pool! Some great times and fast relays made for a good meet. The Riptides are a very nice group of swimmers and we got word there were some cranky LVST parents spouting off to the announcer – we apologized and all is well – but please remember we are guests at away meets and we want to be asked back next year!!
SAT June 7th Sleepy Hollow – Home Meet
Sleepy Hollow has 330 swimmers and we have 183. That means over 500 swimmers plus families will be arriving to swim on Saturday. So scoot over! We have to keep this meet rolling or we will be at the pool all day. Please make sure your swimmers are ready behind the blocks early, the starters are focused on getting swimmers off the blocks and in the water and keeping us on time. If you are working – please be on time and if you can, offer to stay late if needed. This is the biggest meet of the season and if it goes well – it is a fantastic day! We have never come close to winning this meet – yet this year we are bigger and better than ever before…..maybe this is it!
Did you know…
We have a parent on our team that STILL holds the girls 15-18 yr old 50yd breast stroke record for all of Marin County?? As Eric says, "She swam wicked fast and we always got to cheer her on in the finals. She made it look way too easy". Lori Dang is our record holder! Set in 1982 (no way!!). And yes – Lori will be swimming breast stroke in the parent relay at Marinwood!! Her name & time (31.75) are listed on our heat sheets!
Camping - June 14th
Here is how it works - We swim Scott valley that day. After the meet – we all pack up the car and head to the Cassini Ranch Camp ground outside Guerneville (about 90 minute drive). We circle the wagons (OK – the SUVs) cook dinner, pitch the tent (aka `mondo condo') in the big group campsite and relax around the big campfire in the middle of the circle. Bring a dish to share and meet a new family and friends in the process. We sleep, get up, eat breakfast around that big campfire again and the rest day (if weather permits) we hang out on the river's stony beach and play with any water toy you can bring up – canoes, rafts, paddleboats, whatever you please . Many families say it is the BEST event we do together all season. Please email Patrick Hunter phunter@lucasvalley.net to reserve your space. Campsites are roughly 15$ each for up to 4 people. Email Patrick with your group number and we look forward to seeing you there! Puppies are welcome!
RSVP Now for the June 21st Auction & Dinner!
If you didn't receive an evite, please email Nancy@applegarth.net and I will forward it on. Many folks are bringing friends and family for a great evening, bring them all – just make sure it is adults only!
Auction Items! We need more great things to offer!! Please email Hillary Olsen hiliaryolsen@msn.com with your ideas and items to donate, we offer tax receipts for all donations. Remember: it's for the team! Those groovy new lane lines and flags are a result of last years party! Thanks!
Upcoming dates:
- June 7 – HOME Meet againt Sleepy Hollow – big meet! Exciting meet!
- June 13 – Summer practice hours start
- June 14 – Away meet against Strawberry
- June 14 – LVST campout
- June 21 – LVST auction & dinner
See you at the pool !!
May 28, 2008
LV 388 / TL Orcas 166
And to think – last year the meet came down to the relays to see who would win! LVST is a bigger and stronger swimming team and it shows! Great job to our swimmers and thanks to both Eric and Bella. The coach from the Orcas team said at the end of the meet, "this was one of the smoothest 1st meets we have had in a long time" – big compliment to the coordinators who worked to call folks and insure everyone was present and able to do their volunteer jobs (Go to the web site www.lvst.org or check your parent handbook to confirm your jobs!) Also – do you know the times are all posted on the web site – check it out! That web site is full of great information – and pictures! Your picture may be there too!
SAT May 31 – Novato riptides – Away Meet
This meet will be at IVC – the North Marin Campus of College of Marin. This is the same pool we swim in for championships – and 8 lanes will make the meet go fast! So – if you are timing for that second shift – come a few minutes early – we'll be zipping through the heats – please don't make us wait for you to park the car and arrive!
The LVST calendar is here!
We have taken the hint and covered all possible routes of communication – the website – group emails – and now hard copy calendars delivered to your folder – to be placed on your fridge, framed and placed at your bedside table – or just carried around to check dates and times as you need to. Check your folder in the next few days for your copy –
Did you see the great Evite for June 21st????
The LVST Dinner dance & auction The plans are set and it looks to be a really fun evening. The Unauthorized Rolling Stones are set to play, we have some great food lined up and a couple of vineyards are coming to serve wines. The Banta ranch/estate/ homestead is the perfect location. This home has a long history, owned by members of the Grateful Dead many years ago – it was used as a summer encampment to relax and play music. Then – members of the Doobie Brothers bought the place, started to build a home and continued the summer play. Fast forward a few years and the Banta family bought the property, put an enormous amount of work and love into it all and you'll just have to come experience it – we can't guarantee Jerry Garcia's spirit will hover over the pool house, but his vibe is there and it is a great thing!! Ok – enough – just come support the team and have a great time. Thanks to Susan & Philip for sharing their wonderful home!
Upcoming dates:
- May 31- Swim Meet - Novato – away Warm ups at 8am. Plan to arrive a few minutes early
- June 7 HOME Meet – Sleepy Hollow – big meet! Exciting meet!
- June 13 – summer practice hours start
- June 14 Away meet – Strawberry –
- June 14 LVST Campout -
See you at the pool !!
May 14, 2008
Time Trials
Fast swimming and a smooth running meet! It was amazing to see those many tiny 5 & 6 yr olds swim down the pool for the first time - Thanks to all the parent volunteers – that first meet of the season can be crazy, but everyone pulled through and really made the meet run smooth for the swimmers. It was long – true. Usually, a meet is split into 2 shifts, running roughly from 8:30 – 10:30 and then (when breast stroke begins) 10:30 – 12:30. So make sure you know which shift you are working. (Go to the web site www.lvst.org or check your parent handbook to confirm your jobs!) Also – do you know the times are all posted on the web site – check it out! That web site is full of great information – and pictures! Your picture may be there too!
SAT May 17 - TL ORCAS – Home Meet
The Orcas have a team with at least 50 more swimmers than our team – and we want to make sure the entire team feels welcome, so please make room for swimmers & families on the redwood lawn where there is plenty of room! Bring shade (those little pop up shades you bought for your kids when they were babies is perfect – darn! if you sold it in that garage sale!) and try and take up only the space you need (remember those concerts on the lawn when you were following the Grateful Dead around CA?) – You get the picture. It is a great day and the energy is fantastic. The Cameron family was the lucky winner of the poolside table with shade (at the last Bingo Night) lucky ducks! And the Eichlers won the parking space front and center – congrats!
It will be a Hot One! – parents! wear your swim suit if you want - we will take breaks to get everyone cooled down so you will be able to jump in the pool and cool off – and don't forget – drink water – before you are thirsty – when you are thirsty and beyond. And sunscreen – if some is good- lots is better!
Pasta Feed & Bingo – Friday, Night May 16th-
Signs are up at the pool and in your folders – come stock up on those carbs, and play some Bingo! Dinner at 6pm (check the sign to see if you should bring Big bowl of pasta or a huge salad & bread ) – we will provide drinks. Bingo will start about 7pm and we are all home for a good nights sleep at 8:30 -- it is slated to be a stellar evening! See you there! (byo adult beverage)
Please check your parent handbook to make sure you know which volunteer jobs you have this meet
Volunteer Jobs
Please check in to know where you are working, if everyone is on time – the meet runs much smoother! Set Up and tear down will be crucial, please be there if you signed up!
Please remember – If you cannot fulfill your jobs, you need to find a replacement or someone to switch jobs – not showing up for a job at a meet will result in a $50 charge for each job (and we hate doing that!). Call and secure a replacement, then call the coordinator or head for the group and let them know the job is filled. We need every job filled to run the meet – please don't leave us hanging by skipping out on a job!
Name Tags – Wow! What a great idea – and many folks agree we need to do it for all meets – SO – there will be a pile of blank name tags at the door – please put one on – or Nancy may stick one on you – it really is a good thing!
Upcoming dates:
- May 17 - Swim Meet – Orcas – Home - warm ups @ 12 & up 7:30 am 9-11 & wolves 7:45am / meet starts @8:30am
- Pasta Feed/Bingo Night May16 6pm
- May 24 No Meet – Memorial Day Holiday
- May 31- Swim Meet - Novato - away
See you at the pool with that new sun hat!!
May 7, 2008
Time Trials this Saturday May 10 – We hope everyone received Eric's great email this week with the details of time trials. (go to the web site www.lvst.org to see it) We will start the meet at 10am – with warm ups for the 9&ups before that – many families have asked how long the meet will last? , because we have just LVST swimmers in the pool (no opposing team) the meet will be shorter. I am hoping we are finishing up around 1pm. Like Eric said, the older swimmers will swim each event – the younger ones will swim just freestyle and if your new & young swimmer does not want to swim, no worries – let them watch and cheer on their team mates - which is also fun!!
For the new families – some tips to make time trials a great day: Bring a chair or two to sit in & the morning Times to read between heats – bring a hat (flopper the better) to keep the sun out & a couple of towels for those wet swimmers. It may be chilly when you arrive- but it will soon get warm and sometimes HOT! so layer it! For those parents watching their little ones compete for the first time – better wear big dark sunglasses – because watching them swim their hearts out – will bring a tear to any mom's eye!
Please check your parent handbook to make sure you know which volunteer jobs you have this meet
Volunteer Jobs – At regular dual meets, the meet is split into 2 shifts, 1st shift & 2nd shift. Time trials have just one shift because it is shorter meet. We realize snack bar workers and timers will be new and learning their jobs – which is fun and a great way to get to know other parents on the team - meets are the best part of the season!
Please remember – If you cannot fulfill your jobs, you need to find a replacement or someone to switch jobs – not showing up for a job at a meet will result in a $50 charge for each job( and we hate doing that!) . Call the coordinator or head for the group and make sure the job is filled. We need every job filled to run the meet – please don't leave us hanging by skipping out on a job!
We still need help with coordinating the snack bar!! - if you are a parent with some snack bar experience – please stop by and lend a hand getting us up and off to a good start - we have the opportunity to make a great profit from our biggest money maker of the season – the snack bar!
Upcoming dates:
- Time trials May 10th warm ups @ 9am / meet starts @10am
- Pasta Feed/Bingo Night May16 6pm
- May17 HOME Meet – Orcas start time 8:30am / warm ups 7:30am
And the season begins!!!
April 30, 2008
!Parent Handbooks are in Folders today ! Happy to report the book is done and in your folder - for our new families, this is the complete roster & schedule for the 2008 season. Included are all dates, all parent jobs and all directions to meets and events. Please refer to the schedule to know when you are scheduled to work and scheduled to help at events. This information will also be posted on the website in the next few days for easy reference. Thanks to Trisha Eichler & Carmen Cruces for getting the book out and complete in record time. Happy Reading.
A word about volunteer jobs - We have a larger number of families on the team this year, which means we ran out of volunteer jobs! To keep everything fair – we took away a job or even 2 from some families to make sure the `fun' is spread out evenly. If you see your name replaced in the lineup, don't worry- just smile because it is your lucky day! We did our absolute best to keep the spread fair and even – it was a big job with many hours work – hopefully everyone is happy. If you signed up for `on-call' – chances are you were slotted into a needed spot on the same day – please check to make sure you know where you should be on meet day. Remember – we have a $50 charge if you don't show up for your volunteer job and if you are unable to make the job, it's up to you to find a replacement – look to the `on-call' list to make the call – and inform the coordinator! Please don't leave us hanging!
We need some help!! – We need one volunteer in one very important area. Snack Bar Coordinator. Our biggest money maker – and the place where you can sure to see everyone at the meet! We have 3 great people and they are all new to the job. In past years we have had 4 coordinators to spread the work out to a good level – usually working one shift at a home meet and working to make sure the food and supplies are ordered by volunteers. If you have some experience in the world of food and could step up to be that 4th coordinator – we'll gladly switch your jobs and be forever grateful!! Please email or call Nancy or Dana Gray, and thanks!!
Time Trials, May 10th – It seems there are a few families that have not seen the date change of time trials. Time Trials is on May 10 (not May 4th!) So~ this is the last weekend before the season starts – take advantage of that Saturday morning `sleep time' – we are up and in the water early after the 10th!!
Upcoming dates: Time trials May 10th warm ups @ 9am / meet starts @10am
Pasta Feed/Bingo Night May16 6pm
Wrapping Up – Bella's mom is home from the hospital and on the mend ( great news!) , Eric has a sore ankle from hiking Everest on his day off, and the wind has been kicking up on the pool deck – so wear the hat with the chin strap and come down – we will see you at the pool!
Have a great weekend!
April 23, 2008
Bingo was a roaring success !- Roughly 125 Bingo players filled the Community Center last Friday – and we had a fun night of Bingo & Prizes - Elise Kushner was the big winner of the night -- $56 in one game! The Cameron's won the poolside table at the first home meet - congratulations Camerons! Thank you to Barbra and her crew for a great night. Our next Bingo night is after the Pasta feed on May 16th – hope to see you there!
Time Trials, May 10th We are still a few weeks out from time trials but the swimmers look strong. The young ones are practicing their 'bubble arms' ( ask Eric to demonstrate for a smile!) and the teenagers are working hard putting in long distances.
!NEW! Early Morning Practice Hours – Tuesday & Thursday 5:30am – 7:00am Eric is up and at it early 2 days a week – swimmers ( crazy, dedicated, you decide!) who want an additional workout are encouraged to come to the pool at 5:30. Remember – there are many homes close by, we need to be quiet and not disturb anyone's early morning!
Parent Handbook is being polished up as we speak – when the copies arrive they will land in your team folder – watch for the email to let you know they are here!
15-18yr old Ribbons – Swimmers get a ribbon for every event – and we find countless ribbons from our 15-18 yr old swimmers left and never picked up each year. Bottom line – they are expensive – so unless your 15-18 year old swimmers want his/her ribbon – we'll pass them along to the younger swimmers to collect and cherish – cool?
STARTS CLINIC - APRIL 26 - Saturday, April 26
It's not too late to sign up – there is plenty of space available. $25 payable to LVST – for an hour of dedicated coaching on racing starts. Perfect for the younger swimmers who may be trying out the blocks for the first time at Time Trials. (quick note there – if your new swimmer does not want to dive off the blocks – no worries – of the side is just fine too!)
Swimmer Times
12 & up 9am – 10am
9 – 11yrs 10am – 11am
8 & under 11am – noon
LVST Gear
The second order of swim gear has arrived. Dana Gray will contact you to deliver. Also available from T&B - Some overstocks are available at the T&B with the LVST logo – items are available at the store, ask for John Flemmer and he can let you know what is left:
- Sweatshirt- 1 ea. adult small $29
- Sweatpants- 2 ea. youth small, 1 ea. youth large, 1 ea. youth xlarge $19
- Maxback- 2 ea. size 32 $49
- Jammer- 1 ea. size 34 $36
- Pajamas- black/white- 1 ea. youth small, 1 ea. youth medium, 1 ea. youth large
- white/black- same as black/white $25
- T&B stocks the pajamas in both colors without logo.
June 21st - Summer Solstice! - LVST Summer Party! - Mark your calenders!
The weather is warming up; the pool deck is a sunny & friendly place to relax while the kids swim. We hope to see you poolside!
Have a great weekend everyone – don't forget the sunscreen!
March 23
Happy Spring! The sun is warm but chill is still in the afternoon air — lucky for them — the pool water temp. is in the mid 80s. Lots to talk about this week — here we go!
Team Suits & Sportswear are in!
We will have the suits and sweats for delivery on Monday, March 24th at the pool after 4pm – so please plan to come pick up your gear. We have one more opportunity to order for delivery before the meets begin, all orders due by Thursday, March 27th ( this Thursday!). So if you want to order suits, sweats, flannel pants ( the pants are very cool – swimmers LOVE them!) use the form on the website (posted tomorrow, Monday), www.lvst.org print it out, enclose your check and place in Dana Grays folder at the pool. OR – if you want to go directly to T&B – place your order there, or give them a call and they can help you on the phone – easy as pie. Any questions, call or email Dana or Nancy nancy@applegarth.net . Nancy will have forms at the pool if you need them.
Dates to Remember
The season social and meet calendar is set - we have worked hard to set events around meets and around school events. All social events are designed to include the whole family – not just the swimmer, so please bring siblings and enjoy all the great families on the team!
LVST Calendar
2008 Season
Feb 10 Sign Ups
March 3 1st Day of Practice
April 4 LVST Bowling Night – Petaluma
April 18 LVST Bingo Night
April 26 Starts & Turns Clinic
May 10(Saturday) Time trials – 10am (warm ups 9am)
May 16 LVST Pasta Feed
May 16 LVST Bingo Night
May 17 Home Meet - Orcas
May 24 HOLIDAY WEEKEND / No meet
May 31 Away meet Novato
June 7 Home meet – Sleepy Hollow
June14 Away Meet - Strawberry
June 14 LVST Campout – location TBA
June 21 Home meet – Rolling Hills
June 21 LVST Auction / Party
June 22 All Stars
June 25 (Weds) LVST Canoe Trip
June 28 Home Meet – Scott Valley
July 5 No meet – Car Wash
July 12 Away Meet – Marinwood
July 18 LVST Pancake Breakfast
July 19 CHAMPS
July 20 LVST Awards Night
The season is shaping up to be a great mix of fun & fast swimming. If you have any questions – don't hesitate to ask! The 2008 Rooster & schedule is coming together and we are hoping to have it in your hands in mid April – it will contain all the meets, volunteer jobs and a list of the swimmers and contact numbers.
Have a great week !
See you at the pool!
March 12
We are well into the second week of practice and every swimmer, at every age looks great!! We have more swimmers starting the season than ever and the energy and fun in the pool is contagious. Eric is thrilled and we hope your swimmer is having a great time.
Dates to Remember
We need to change the date of time trials due to a pool scheduling conflict. The new date will be May 10th, Saturday at 10:00am (warm ups at 9:30). We are sorry for the change of date and hope the new date works for everyone. Time trials is a swim meet for only our LVST swimmers. Race times are established to seed the meets to come and volunteers have a `dress rehearsal' to understand all the jobs needed at a swim meet. We'll have a full snack bar will a full lunch menu so come to cheer your swimmer and support the team too.
The meet schedule is posted on the website www.lvst.org and the social calendar will be finalized next week. Canoe trip, camping and all the fun events need to be fit into an already busy calendar for the season! We are starting to plan the LVST dinner party and hope to mix it up abit this year at a fantastic new location. We are hoping to confirm June 21st, Saturday, so pencil it in and plan to join the fun!
Team Membership
Thank you to everyone who has completed the paperwork and fees for this season. We have close to 160 swimmers and a nice spread of age groups and boys vs. girls. If you have any questions or need to deliver paperwork, Eric is happy to take it at practice, or look for Nancy Applegarth, usually sitting on the pool deck in the early hours of practice and happy to take paperwork as well. Starting Monday, March 17th, swimmers will not be able to swim unless they have registered for the team and have a medical emergency form on file. Our insurance won't cover unregistered swimmers and we can't risk being noncompliant - thanks for getting those forms in!
Practice Notes
The new lane lines are in and look fantastic!! We are thrilled to have them in place and need to remind swimmers to not hang on them; we need them to last! New backstroke flags will arrive soon and the pool will be ready for another season. Eric is working hard to get to know all our new swimmers and families and make sure every swimmer is swimming to the best of their skill and ability.
This newsletter will come out each week, usually midweek, yet if you have any questions or concerns please email or call, we want to make the season a great one for everyone from the start. If you know of someone interested in swimming, tell them to come talk to Eric, he'll have them in the water and part of the team in no time!
Have a great weekend,
See you at the pool!
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February 27
March 3rd - First Day of Swim Practice!
8 & Under Swimmers
4:00 pm - All 8 & under swimmers come swim the width of the pool and find out which group you will be in for the 2008 season. Eric & Bella will watch and place your swimmer in the best group for their strength and ability. Safety is the highest concern for our youngest swimmers and both coaches are expert at judging each swimmer's ability. No formal practice on this day, practice will start in groups on Tuesday. Eric will let your swimmer know their exact practice time on Monday.
9-11 Swimmers
4:45 - 5:45 Our next group of swimmers who are 9yrs old - 11yrs old. Eric & Bella will start off the year with lane assignments and swimming technique to make sure each swimmer is on the right track.
12 & up Swimmers
Our most senior swimmers swim from 5:45 -7:15. Our high school swimmers will join in after the high school season ends in May.
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS URGENTLY NEEDED
We are in need of 2 volunteers to walk our young swimmers to and from Dixie Daycare. This position asks for just one day per week until school ends on June 12. Responsibility to escort 8 & under swimmers to the pool and make sure they are either met by a parent or taken back to daycare after their practice. Full points for this position, and perfect for a parent who has a swimmer who is 8 & under at the pool at the same time. If this sounds good for you, and even if you have volunteered for other jobs - please email nancy and we can rearrange jobs. We need to get our youngest swimmers to the pool - and we need a responsible parent to help out!! Please email nancy@applegarth.net and we will work out the points.
New Swimmers
First of all - welcome to the team! We are happy to have all the new families join our 2008 season ( over 40 new swimmers as of sign up day!) If you have any questions or concerns, please ask the coaches or any of the 'seasoned' parents on the deck . We were all new and want your first season with the Lucas Valley Swim Team to be the first of many to come!
See you at the pool!
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February 10
Thanks to everyone who came down to sign up today for the Lucas Valley Swim Team. We are thrilled to have 40 new swimmers and most of our returning families back for another great season. It is not too late to sign up! Contact Nancy Applegarth or any LVST board member to join the team! Newsletters will begin in March with the start of practice.
One Quick Reminder
Swimmers who want to order their team suit and receive it the first week of practise, yet did not order today, please get to T& B Sports to place your order this week. Our first team order will be placed on February 23rd, so get in before then to get your suit order! Remember to remind them you are from Lucas Valley to receive our team discount.
Other orders can easily be placed, yet will arrive after the 1st week of practice.
Thanks again everyone, see you at the pool on March 3rd!
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January 31
Happy New Year! With the New Year we are poised and ready for a the start of another great swim season.
2007 windup and 2008 kickoff
In 2007 our swimmers had a great season of fun and fitness under head coach Eric Whitten & assistant coach, Bella Ferriter. LVST ended up the year with 158 swimmers and a 4th place finish out of 10 teams in the Marin Swim League (MSL). Eric and Bella are both returning to coach our 2008 team and promise to make it another great season! Practise starts March 3rd and champs are on July 19, with so much fun and excitement along the way!
2008 Season Sign Ups
Sunday, February 10th
Lucas Valley Community Center
10am: New & 2nd year families
1pm: Returning families
In an effort to make the 2008 season job sign as streamlined and fair as it was last season, sign up day will be done again in 2 groups. All new & 2nd year families will meet at 10am for a brief meeting and job sign ups . This will enable Eric & the board to meet and guide families to parent jobs that fit the interest and availability of each new family. For families with young swimmers, we will have a special 'across the pool swim' on March 3rd ( 1st day of practise!) to insure water safety and allow Eric & Bella to assign swim groups.
Returning families will meet at 1pm for a brief meeting with Eric and job sign ups. Don't worry about signing up for that special job, there will be plenty of great jobs to fit every interest and the board will help match jobs with specific interests. Registration packets are available on–line now, please print and fill out the forms as best you can before coming in to save time on sign up day. Swim suits and great new gear will be available at sign ups.
Our team couldn't function without the vast involvement of our families. Each volunteer team job is vital. Some volunteer positions require some training or experience (stroke judge, starter, computer, among others). For this reason, some team jobs are assigned ahead of time. If you are interested in a pre-assigned job, please contact Nancy Applegarth for more information.
Below is a list of volunteer jobs requiring training or experience. Please take a look and contact Nancy if a job fits your ability. These jobs are available early as we need to fit some jobs with folks with experience or folks willing to take some training to learn the details of the job.
Easy Meet Line Up Coordinator input & complete the linups for each meet during the season. Requires software training and a commitment to complete the job Tuesday evening before the meet on Saturday. This is crucial as the opposing team must intermix swimmers during a specific time window. Computer skills and specific time commitment a must.
Computer Specialist at Meets - Work with others at desk during meets to complete and record the times and places of swimmers. Computer knowledge and some training required.
Colorado Specialist - 'Colorado' is our electronic timing system. We need an additional person to help run this equipment and be aquainted with how it works in case of software issues during the meet. Software knowledge & training needed.
Parent Handbook Coordinator - 2 people to input and assemble the 2008 Parent handbook. Knowledge of Excel and commitment to complete this project between Feb 11th & March15th.
Team Communication
We will work hard to keep team communications current and to a minimum again this year. We need each family to get on the 'yahoo groups' email list by providing your email address on your registration form (the list is confidential and never shared!) and to use our web site for current information and links. www.lvst.org We will send out a weekly update via email on Wednesday along with a coaches letter once a week during the meet season. We will work hard to keep all communications to those 2 emails - email time is precious. Please be sure to confirm and insure your email is current and included on the LVST list at registration!
Many Social Activities in 2008
LVST has a full calendar of fun planned again for the 2008 season. In addition to practice & meet schedule, there will be many other fun activities planned! Each activity is designed for the whole family; camping, canoeing & bowling just to mention some of the fun. The complete calendar will be available at signups.
We are looking forward to a great 2008 season and hope to see all returning families as well as many new faces in the pool this year. As always, if you have any questions or thoughts, contact any board member via email, telephone or the web page. Or call Nancy Applegarth, 472-5955.
See you at the pool on February 10th!
The LVST Parent Volunteer Board
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