Dinner, Sunday Brunch & Sushi Night at Winchester Country Club

Golf Tempo: Playing Through to Become Captain Hook

By Adam Jackson, Local avid golfer and blogger

The Scenario: You’re playing reasonably well and surprisingly quick golf.  Not only are you impressed at your speed of play but at the accuracy with which every putt is moving towards the hole.  You have played so quickly that the foursome ahead of you is waving you up.  I don’t know how that moment plays out for all of you but for me, it is as if I no longer know how to play the game of golf.  Hooks and slices have out of nowhere reestablishing themselves as the dominating forces over my game.
The Question: Why did that happen?  I was doing so well. A book I have come to love and highly recommend to everyone (Zen Golf by Dr. Joseph Parent) does a magnificent job of explaining why this phenomenon occurs.  In a nut shell when we try to play through, we speed up our tempo. Plus, if we’re playing well, the pressure to maintain our level of performance on the through shot seems to weigh extra heavy.  Unlike the holes previously conquered, you now have a gallery that in your subconscious mind continually chants “your feet aren’t lined up, your club is too closed, don’t cast your hands, don’t push, don’t hook, don’t slice, don’t choke…” and so on.
While playing a round at a local course the other day, this added pressure was doubled.  This pressure to change one’s tempo can also happen if the people behind you are playing quickly.  You can’t avoid these scenarios so how do you cope?
The way I see it is this, you paid the same amount to play and therefore those around you can wait (assuming you’re playing within a reasonable amount of time. If you take 5 minutes just to top the ball 50 to 100 yards over and over my suggestion to you is go back to the range and get your swing sorted out.)  However, if you’re playing at a decent tempo and people want to be rude and hit into you, don’t be afraid to let them play through.  Other players hitting into you doesn’t necessarily mean you’re slow, it could mean they are playing quickly.  Let them go on.  What will it hurt you?  If your mind is in the right spot then someone playing through won’t disturb your tempo. On the other side, if those in front of you are not playing the same speed you are and you feel the need to play through, don’t forget to breathe.  Before you hit that tee shot be sure that your body is feeling the same tempo you were just playing at.  There’s no need to speed up.  Just follow the same routine you have been and take deep breaths, this will slow down the blood pumping through your system.
Side note: if you feel like you’re nerves are going to get you because of pressure to play well, don’t be afraid to hit a club that you’re very comfortable with just to reassure your body and mind that you know what you’re doing.
The statements and opinions of this article are meant for inspiration and entertainment only. If you need help with your golf game, please seek your local golf professional for one on one instruction.

Update from the MV Trails Association

Submitted by the MV Trails Association

The Meadow Vista area is networked by 25 to 30 miles of both dedicated county easement trails as well as private trails. The Meadow Vista Trails Association tries to maintain throughout the year.  MVTA would like any residents to feel free to report trail incidents that you may encounter, so we can continue to try to keep the trails safe.   Our web site, www.mvtrails.org  has a Trail Incident Report that will alert us to situations where we need to take action.  An incident can be a maintenance issue, or something safety related such as a fallen tree, deep ruts, etc.  An incident could also include appropriate trail markings or trail misuse. 

 Recently an old oak tree dropped it's top, see photo,  blocking the trail in Christian Valley.  MVTA works as an agent of the County helping with trail construction and maintenance.  Our trail crews are trained and we document our volunteer time when working on County facilities.  

 Please visit our web site for information about the trails' locations, MVTA activities including future meetings and community trail work parties, etc.   Meetings are normally the last Wednesday of the month at 6:30 at Mtn. Mikes' Pizza.

Recipe: Christine's Salty Toffee

From Christine Schlittenhart's Kitchen

INGREDIENTS:
1 c. brown sugar
2 sticks real butter
12 oz. chocolate chips
6 oz. package of sliced almonds
Saltine crackers

DIRECTIONS:
1. Line a large jelly roll pan (one with sides) with foil.
2. Cover with soda crackers.
3. Boil brown sugar and butter together 3 minutes (start timing when it starts boiling).
4. Pour over crackers.
5. Bake 6 to 7 minutes at 375 degrees.
6. While hot, pour chocolate chips on top. Smooth over, then spread almonds. Let cool, then freeze for several hours.
Break into pieces to serve. Perfect for Gifts Too!

Secrets of the Nutcracker Ballet

Man vs. Mouse: Insight to The Famous Holiday Feud

Are you afraid of being dragged to a ballet and not knowing what's going on? For many, going to the see the ballet, The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition...one of joy or possibly boredom. Often it's the first and only ballet they will ever experience. To make the most of it and perhaps encourage you to enjoy the festive dance performance, here are some facts about The Nutcracker that will help you enjoy the ballet as well as impress your friends with your knowledge of trivia.
There's a Curse
The Nutcracker Prince finds himself imprisoned in a little doll. But not all hope is lost. If a beautiful young girl falls in love with him, then the spell will be broken.
There's Magic
The character, Drosselmeyer, is both a magician and a maker of toys. He presents the Nutcracker doll to Clara.
It's Old
The Nutcracker was first performed in Saint Petersburg, Russia on December 19, 1892.
Listen Carefully
Tchaikovsky used the production of The Nutcracker to introduce a new instrument to audiences: the celesta. He had heard the instrument in France and wanted to be the first bring its distinctive and new sound to a production score. This cousin to the piano puts out a high octave sound that makes the dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum sound unique.

The Sugar Plum Fairy Throws a Good Party
Some of the best dancing takes place near the end of the ballet when the characters visit the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. While there, dancers from all over the world entertain Clara and company. This showcase of dance is a fan favorite and takes up much of the second half of the production.
The Original Production Had Problems
The ballet featured two choreographers. Lev Ivanov started the work and later Marius Petipa was brought in to finish it. Peter Tchaikovsky created the score but thought the ballet was initially regarded as a failure. Audiences agreed and the production was called a flop.
From a Flop to a Hit
Despite the disappointing debut, The Nutcracker continued to be performed and it eventually reached Europe in 1934 and American shores in 1944. A decade later, George Balanchine brought his interpretation of the production to the New York City Ballet. There it became a holiday favorite which helped inspire other productions around the world.
Variety is the Spice
Today, there are countless presentations of The Nutcracker, which range from the traditional to extremely modern interpretations. In the early 90’s, choreographer Mark Morris created his  parody, The Hard Nut, which includes all male dancers, terrific dancing and tons of humor. Whether you see it on the grand stage or a local theatre - enjoy the Nutcracker this year!

Meadow Vista Moments - Winchester Tennis

Winchester "loves" tennis too: shown are the players at the June Tennis Social at the Winchester Swim and Tennis center.

COVER PHOTO

Special thanks to Randall Hensley who submitted our cover photo taken at the Meadow Vista Park. Dr. Hensley owns Hensley Chiropractic and is the current president of the Meadow Vista Merchants.

Send your high-quality pictures for cover consideration to meadowvistaview@hotmail.com

Pictures from Pioneer Day 2010