In This Issue:

Editorial Sizzlin' Summer Spectacular Sell Advertising Sizzling Summer Round Robin Mixed Doubles Anniversary Friday Night Affairs Malibu Interclub Marina del Rey Interclub The Roar of the Crowd Credits

Sayings Photo Contest Entry #2 Spring Singles Round Robin Revenge of the Riviera New to the Board Notes from Ladder Director Newport Beach Marriott Tennis Trip Name That Player!!! Welcome New Members The Back Page

EDITORIAL: SUMMER DELIGHT

Just in time for summer, Santa Monica Tennis Club unrolls an array of tasty treats for your finicky delectation.

First on our menu are our ever popular Friday Night Affairs - which have frankly become the talk of the town. Join us while finding out who's doing what, and who's teaming up with whom.

We also have two exotic upcoming Interclubs. (We're still working on organizing an Interclub with the Fiji Tennis Club). Meanwhile, new Board member Bob Shubert is organizing even more social tournaments, while Roger Breternitz continues his outrageously popular column on our new Back Page.

SMTC is also running its first ever ad in the Santa Monica SeaScape - bringing in new members at a cost to us of, precisely, nada. In addition, the June 24th Block Party, which our own Marguerite Jorgensen took a leading role in putting together, had over 135 players show up, resulting in a higher Club profile, a publicity bonanza, and - drum roll, please - our newest contest: "Name that Player!!!" The result of all this is that SMTC has reversed our years-long decline in membership - even before our Sizzlin' Summer Spectacular promotion kicks in!

Hollywood might call all this "Boffo Box Office!" - and they wouldn't be far from wrong. In fact, just to accommodate the screaming hordes descending on Reed Park every Sunday, we've extended the hours on our third court - court six - until 2 p.m, and we are working on getting a fourth court - you read that right - during prime time Open Play. The hold up, ye doubting skeptics, is that other city residents also want to be able to hit the tennis ball on Sunday mornings. Their nerve!

Best of all, our Club's Lazarus-like revival is taking place on the gloriously resurfaced Reed Park courts - thanks to the efforts of coach Bill Nissley as well as Keith Neal at the Reed Park tennis office. So, congratulations to all of youse who stayed loyal to our Club in our time of sackcloth and ashes. And thanks for helping us navigate a U-turn as we continue to rebuild.

As one member of the Mountaingate Country Club recently said, "Santa Monica Tennis Club is starting to feel and look like a country club."

And why not?

- Joseph Hanania

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SIZZLIN' SUMMER SPECTACULAR!!!

Our own Carrie Gold put out an interesting idea, which may provide the summer sizzle to further fatten up Club membership rolls. But before we go into the crass details of how we plan to increase our membership, let us first outline the seemingly intractable challenges addressed by our entrepreneurial member.

The challenge: many who would otherwise join our Club during the summer months hold back because they would be paying the full annual rate for only half a year's membership. Instead, they wait until the next year - and then forget to join.

The sizzlin' solution comes from - okay, suck in your pride, fellow tennis buffs - a Jewish women's group Carrie belongs to, which had a similar mid-year membership slump. So at mid-year, they cut their fee by half. Someone joining after July 1st would join at the reduced price for the rest of the year - and then renew the following year at full price. This policy resulted in the group's renewed growth.

Now really, what does this Jewish women's group have over Santa Monica Tennis Club? Are we - the high and mighty - so proud we will not imitate a good thing when we see it?

No, siree!!! Starting July 1st, anyone joining SMTC will get a reduced price - with, of course, a topspin which would make any tennis player proud. Through to January 1st, when we revert to normal membership prices, every new member's $65 price of admission also gets not one but two - you got it, TWO - $10 coupons, which the member may use to enter any SMTC event. Nor do these valuable, gold-plated coupons have an expiration date. In effect, then, the cost of joining the Club to those joining in the second half of the year falls to a mere (we can't believe it's this low) $45.

So tell all your friends! Tell anyone who has ever thought of joining our Club about how we're sizzlin' this summer!!! Or - how does that car dealership put it - tell 'em to "Come On Down!!!"

A word of caution to the rest of you'se. Because of our Sizzlin' Summer Spectacular, we anticipate that more new members will join SMTC tournaments to redeem their gold plated coupons. (In fact, 2007 has been a Banner Year for SMTC tournaments, with many events selling out a month or more in advance - so it's best to keep your eyes peeled, your entry forms filled out, and your responses promptly in the mail).

We wish we could tell you that in our rarefied musings, we on the Board came up with this brainstorm - but no, it was Carrie. So the next time you see her on the courts, give her a hearty thumbs-up for giving us the idea which launched our 2007 Summer Spectacular!

-JH

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GET PAID TO BE A MEMBER OF SMTC?
(NAW, THAT CAN'T BE RIGHT)

So, you're not Pete Sampras. You're not Martina Navratilova. You're not even Jim Metzger or Mike Schmidt, the top players on the Open Ladder (though you can always dream, can't you?) So, why would SMTC want to pay...you...to be a member? And while the Board has temporarily fallen on its head, how much money could you make out of this sweet deal?

Well, you could sell newsletter ads and recoup your entire annual Club dues and even make a small profit. From tennis. (Yes, dreams do come true).

SMTC will pay you one quarter of the advertising fee for each ad you sell. Thus, selling a single $100 ad to a non-member will earn you $25. Selling three ads to any non-member(s) will earn you back the cost of your annual membership, and land you some extra cash.

And, here's the best part. Amid SMTC's summer promotion, we expect membership to surge. So, advertisers will not only be reaching our current readers, but all those extra sets of eyes - at our ridiculously low pre-surge rates. Plus, since we are just starting our ad campaign, no ad will be lost in a clutter of competition. Rather, it will stand out - all bright and shiny and unique - in not just one issue, but two.

Come on; admit it. You can't believe SMTC could possibly offer such a deal.

But we are. Offering you your big chance to cash in on playing tennis. Could life get any sweeter?

Please send ad copy to joe@aceupoursleeve.com. Upon request, we'll be glad to help polish it up - another free service of those swell folks at SMTC.

- JH

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Sizzlin' Summer Mixed Doubles Round Robin Starts July 5th

July 5 -Sept 15

What? You didn't hear?

Our hottest mixed doubles contest ever runs July 5th through September 15th. Each fearsome team will arrange its own matches after signing up in one of three divisions: 3.5, 4.0, or 4.5. The strongest player on the team defines in which division the team enters.

The format is the best 2 out of 3 sets, regular scoring, sudden death on the second deuce or an 8 game pro set. Each team will arrange its own matches.

Cost is a mere $15 per team, or you can individually enter for $7.50, and I will try to match you with a partner. Click here for the entry form.

- Bob Shubert

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Mixed Doubles Anniversary Tournament July 22

Spruce up your racquets and tighten up your strings for the 79th Annual Mixed Doubles Anniversary Tournament Sunday, July 22nd at newly resurfaced Reed Park! Tournament competition will be divided into 3 levels consisting of 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5. It will have a Round Robin format with trophies and prizes for first, second, and third place. Entrants are encouraged to enter as a team as you will play all matches with the same partner. You may enter as a single and a partner will be paired with you.

Tournament fees are $20.00 per team for members or $25.00 per team if you play with a guest. Single member entrants fee is $10.00 and $15.00 for guests. What a deal!!!

Please mail entry form to: Jim Castagnola, 1310 Venice Blvd #11, Venice, Ca.90291

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SO, WHATCHA DOING FRIDAY NIGHTS?

Our wildly popular Friday Night Affairs continue on the third Friday of each month through the sizzlin' summer. Our next Affairs take place JULY 20th and on AUGUST 17th. Twenty-four of us, no less, will strut our stuff while playing mixed doubles at Reed Park 7 - 9:30 p.m. After that, for those so inclined, it's drinking and dancing and ???

$10 per person. Contact: Bob Shubert. Click here for the entry form. Back To Top

MALIBU AWAITS YOU!

(Only one Slot Still Left, for a Male)

Those of us who once made our way up to the hills of Malibu and played at the Malibu Racquet Club remember how beautiful its eight courts are, and how prettily it sat by the ocean. Yes, those were the good old days.

Don't tell anyone, but the good old days are not only back; they are better than ever. On Saturday, July 28, a dozen lucky 3.5 and 4.0 Club players charge up the hills again for a mixed doubles match from 2 - 5 p.m., cocktails and hors d'oeuvres to follow. (BYOB). The Racquet Club also has a barbeque area, for those so inclined. The address is 23847 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu. Or check out the site www.maliburacquetclub.com

First come, served. Please fill out the entry form and mail, together with your e-dress and a $25 check payable to SMTC to: Joseph Hanania, 500 California Ave. #14, Santa Monica, Ca. 90403.

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SAIL AWAY TO MARINA DEL REY!

Friday August 3, eight lucky players will get to strut their stuff at the Marina Club, 4333 Admiralty Way, for an evening of mixed doubles starting at 6 p.m. Afterwards, we have been invited us to use their spa facilities, and join them upstairs for a night of wine, women, and song on the dinner/dance floor, overlooking the Marina. (Is this promotion sexist? Nah!!!) Please let us know if you want to join in the entertainment portion of the evening, so we can reserve a table with members of the Marina Club, with whom we will look out at the sailboats, and dream about sailing away.

All for a mere $20. Please fill out the entry form and send to Joseph Hanania, 500 California Ave. #14, Santa Monica, Ca. 90403. You snooze, you lose!

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THE ROAR FROM THE BLEACHERS

Dear Editor,

I would like to suggest that a reminder be sent via email alerting members that the newsletter is available to access. I have not been receiving such reminders.

When I received such notices last year via e-mail, those notices included a direct e-mail link to the newsletter, which made it simpler to download. Can this be done again?

Andrea Arnold

Andrea,
We are looking for more efficient ways of delivering the newsletter and of notifying members that it is out. Our current system is that I write the newsletter, and Marguerite sends the e-mail blast announcing it is online. We are also looking at the related matters you mention. Please stay tuned. Joe

Dear Editor,

I am fairly conscious of the issues involving personal information online, and am uncomfortable with the PDF and shared password approach. Since it is easy for a file to get sent around online, along with a shared password, it is a risk to members to have their personal information so easily available. Most organizations encrypt personal data that is accessible online, and only make it available to a member logging in with their unique password, which would be the ideal way to do it. Either way, I would:

1) Take home addresses out.
You only really need a telephone number and/or email address to organize a match, so a home address is not really necessary. Or if members prefer to show where they live to help organize matches, you could just put the area, e.g. Santa Monica.

2) Add email addresses.
Having members' email addresses to make it easier for people to get in touch. At another other tennis club where I was a member we just used phone numbers and email addresses, which worked out fine. If people are worried about revealing a work email address, it's easy to create a personal address on Gmail or Hotmail.

Patrick Brady

Patrick,
Our webmaster tells us that having individual passwords would be time consuming and complicated. (Alas, we're primarily a tennis club). As for dropping home addresses and substituting e-dresses, what do the rest of you'se think? Joe

On the Line's publication of different ideas means neither that we endorse the idea, or that we think it is a bad one. Rather, we are putting out ideas for consideration by our full membership, and welcome any and all letters commenting on Club-related issues. We thank you for taking the time to write in.

-JH

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Credits

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SMTC'S "UNLEASH THE ARTIST WITHIN" PHOTO CONTEST ENTRY #2

Yeah, we can already the groans, the mutterings. Club member Jutta Ruehl submitted entry #1 to our photo contest. So, why is she featured in the second entry? Is the fix in? Does she have better connections than the rest of us?

Well, folks, since you put it that way, here's the answer.

We never figured youse members of SMTC for the shy, retiring types. Far from it. Shucks!!!

But somehow, when the rubber meets the road in our photo contest, we've had spectacularly few entries. All youse have to do is to snap a shutter, and e-mail the resulting photo to Joe@Aceupoursleeve.com. Instead, someone looking in for the first time might think you guys are all shy! Modest! Unwilling to share your light, your vision, your artistic genius with the world!

Anyhow, former SMTC member Diane Dunbar took this photo on a TennisTripsLA spectacular to Morgan Run. (Don't ask which club won what proved to be a Memorial Day Demolition Derby).

We're not sure who the guy is with Ms. Ruehl, but we've been assured that he is also a member of SMTC. So, this is entry #2: Jutta Ruehl and Anonymous Male at Morgan Run.

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AND THE SPRING ROUND ROBIN WINNERS ARE:

The 10-week 2007 Spring Singles Round Robin was completed in early May. The results: period.

4.5 Results
1st Place: Russell Braunstein
2nd Place: Jim Dekel
3rd Place: Jim Metzger

4.0 Results
1st Place: Ted Malek
2nd Place tie: Phil Berman and Andrew Shore
4th Place: Bruce Janger

Gift Certificates were awarded to the winners, and Grand Prix points were earned by the top four finishers in each division. Thanks to all that participated.

- Mary Durkin, Round Robin Tournament Director

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THE RIVIERA'S REVENGE

Last year, SMTC beat the Riviera Club during our annual interclub. This year, the Riviera got its revenge, with 61 games to SMTC's hard-fought 55. Still, everyone on both sides was smiling, SMTC players teaming up with Riviera participants in the final mixed doubles round. Riviera tennis director Pam Austin, who offered all of us great hospitality and a tasty lunch at this beautiful facility, took this photo of Riviera and SMTC participants - just before we all headed out for battle.

The man on the left holding a racket is David King, one of SMTC's newer members - and fiercest fighters. If you have a chance to take him on, we suggest you go for it now - because at his rate of improvement, he's soon going to be turning the tables on the competition. As for the rest of us, can you figure out who's who?

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NEW ON THE BOARD

Yes, the membership on our Board just keeps getting cooler and cooler!

SMTC's new social director, Bob Shubert, hails from the frozen tundras of Minnesota where, he swears, he was raised by a family of timber wolves. During the 20 below zero winters, ice hockey, cross-country skiing, and hunting small furry creatures with a .22 caliber rifle numbered among his favorite pursuits. He graduated from the University of Minnesota, home of the Golden Gophers, and Bob Dylan's alma mater, with a degree in business. After a stint in the Marines, where they made him cut his hair way too short, he hopped a plane for London.

Bob spent a year slinging hash at Fowler's Restaurant, near London Bridge, an eating establishment of dubious culinary distinction. Ah, the delights of English food! Can you say bland and greasy?

Since coming to California Bob has been working as a commercial mortgage broker and as a loan shark, which, he says, gives him time to pursue his real passions: alcohol, drugs, and destructive relationships. He has been a member of SMTC dating back to the Eisenhower administration, and particularly enjoys the colorful characters that turn up for Sunday open play. A therapist, he tells us, could have a field day.

Welcome to the Board, Bob!

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NOTES FROM THE LADDER DIRECTOR

We owe an apology to Hai Vu, who was dropped from the ladder on the assumption that his move to Santa Barbara would prevent him from playing ladder matches. But he assures us that he will be in town to play tennis, and that we assumed incorrectly. The old saying is correct; to "assume" is to make an "ass" of "u" and "me." Hai has been restored to the ladder.

Looking for some competitive doubles? We do have ladders in men's, women's and mixed doubles. You need the following equipment: (1) a partner, and (2) a telephone. Set up a match, and the rest will be history.

- Bruce Janger

Click here for the ladder.

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Luxuriate A Night (And Play Tennis) at the Ultra Exclusive Newport Beach Marriott at Fashion Island
Saturday, August 4 - Sunday, August 5

Experience unparalleled beauty and relaxing luxury at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa. Thanks to a dramatic 70 million dollar transformation, the remodeled Newport Beach hotel offers a whole new take on coastal living with sleek, modern style. Retreat to an elegant guest room, and enjoy sweeping Pacific views, a vibrant decor, and plush furnishings. Bring to life your most ambitious visions with the sophisticated technology and extraordinary catering, the tranquility of Pure Blu our all-new spa which soothes the soul with exclusive treatments, private cabanas, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. And if you can bear to leave the luxurious Newport Beach California hotel, discover colorful attractions, and world-class shopping nearby. We will play tennis at Balboa Tennis Club, which was rated as America's Best Public Tennis Facility by the United States Tennis Association and named BTC the Club of the Year.

• $189.00 per person includes one night (double occupancy)
• Organized tennis on Saturday and Sunday
• Tennis balls
• Complimentary happy hour on Saturday and
• Sunday Brunch at Balboa Tennis Club

Please check out the Marriott website for more information: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information

Please contact Jutta Ruehl at TennisTripsLA@aol.com or 310-208-6882 by July 15th.

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NAME THAT PLAYER!!!

Amid a blizzard of publicity in the Santa Monica Mirror and the Santa Monica Daily Press, and amid posters all over Reed Park announcing the June 24th Block Party, more than 100 players showed up. One of our own SMTC members got featured in the collage of photos which ran in the Santa Monica Daily Press the next day. Click here to see a PDF of the newspaper photos.

Be the first to identify this player via e-mail, and win a free can of balls and your name in our newsletter. But hurry; second place doesn't count. Respond to: Joe@aceupoursleeve.com.

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Welcome New Members

• Aarsen, Lucienne  310-428-4060  3.5
• Barnett, Samantha*  310-271-7743  4.0
• Burch, Barry  323-848-2977  4.0
• Bush, Janine  310-995-3054  3.5
• Coleman, Gwen*  10-474-9443  3.5
• Crawford, Sam  310-453-7586  3.5
• Derner, James  310-453-8340  4.0
• Kent, Channing  310-260-7808  4.0
• Mahn, Jason  310-264-3828  6.0
• Novek, Mary Anna  310-552-3550  3.5
• Osborne, Barbara  949-639-4102  3.5

*Returning members

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Breaking The "Old Man" in Each of Us

By Roger W. Breternitz C. Hp.

How many of us really like change? We work hard to better our tennis game, to get things going our way. Then a new idea, another method of getting to a higher level of achievement comes along. To climb to that higher level, however, we have to change this or that about what we are doing; we have to start over. Suddenly, all this effort seems ugly, not worth the bother.

It's like the story of the woodsman who is chopping down trees to build his log cabin. Somebody says, "Ya know if you got a chainsaw you could cut down more trees, quicker." So the woodsman buys a chainsaw, gets a quarter of the way through, and the chainsaw quits. He goes to the hardware store, and the store owner says, "You needed to mix the oil with the gas." He does this, cuts halfway through the tree; the saw quits. Store owner says, "You gotta learn something about chainsaws, pardner. It needs sharpening." He buys a file sharpener, cuts almost all the way through - and runs out of gas. Well, it is dark by then anyway. Next morning, you see him swinging his axe!

Does this sound familiar? We learn a new idea or way to improve our game, try it out, and before long find ourselves on a flaming skateboard flying down hill in to a lake of gasoline...or so it seems. That's how it is with the changes necessary to develop the mental skills we need in tennis: rock hard concentration, relaxation under pressure, and the art of letting ourselves win, instead of trying to win.

There is an "Old Man" (or "Old Woman") in each of us who violently resists change - including improving our tennis. He likes the known set of problems, doesn't want any new problems.

To preserve the status quo, our Old Man can cause us to do worse, to get us to "go back" to what we used to do. Then when we actually do worse, we will tell ourselves - a la woodsman - "Ya, I better stick with what I know," and the Old Man can go back to being comfortable in his little world of mediocrity, being anything but number one.

So, you think your "Old Man" isn't getting in the way of your game? Then take this quick test.

Picture yourself at the top of a short ladder, trying to reach up to get your valise. Still, you can't quite reach it. There's a taller ladder nearby - but to climb on to it, you first have to climb down the one you're already on. So, what's your initial reaction to this situation? Are you open to climbing down, then back up? Or are you stubbornly trying to make the shorter ladder "work?"

Here is a tip on how to beat the "Old Man." Approach your thoughts - what you think you already know - with an open mind, remembering that the "Old Man" is always eager to keep you from your quest to expand your thinking. Your thoughts are only your thoughts - they are not reality. They may look and feel real, but as practitioners of Buddhism learn, they are simply mental constructs, nothing more. And as the physician/poet Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions."

Sometimes, people tell me that they go for several weeks using new ideas and nothing is happening, they even played worse. Then in one practice session, it all comes together. It's like finally breaking through the ice they've been trying to chop through on a frozen lake. It was like all the work, training, and perseverance came together at once, a great block was removed, and they finally went fishing for the big one - the one that always got away. And they never looked back.

For one colleague, the breakthrough came several months ago. Up to then, he had been trying to avoid defeat - dreading his opponent's return of the tennis ball. His play was more defensive than joyous. Then, he had his breakthrough.

Instead of avoiding defeat, he would savor victory. He would smash the ball, see how hard he could make it bounce, how difficult he could make the challenge for his opponent. He would take everything he had learned and love the ball and demonstrate that love through his powerful strokes. The ball would not be an object of fear, but of mastery. And this change in perception, seemingly instantaneous, made all the difference in his game.

In your quest for your breakthrough, always fight the Old Man. Don't let him win. You have to keep hammering away at him.

If you start doing worse because of changes you have made, if you start to get irritable, it's usually a sign that the Old Man is about to give in. He's giving it one more try to make you give up. It's a sign that you are very close to a breakthrough in your quest for change, in your effort to excel. So, keep the pressure on him!

Roger Breternitz, at www.vectorstudios.com, sells tapes, DVDs, and CDs to help players seeking to improve their game.

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