What a great weekend at the BSC!

I hope you were able to get down to the pool at some point this weekend.  The water was cool, the grounds looked amazing, and the weather was ideal.

The Memorial Day Party yesterday was a perfect mix of friends, families, food, and fun around the pool.  And Jennifer Dunn won a free membership in the raffle!

This weekend's success was made possible by you all -- the incredible members of the Blackridge Swim Club.

The Week Ahead:
The pool is open this afternoon, 4pm - 8pm.

Note, the pool will be closed Wednesday (6/1) and Thursday (6/2) for some maintenance but will be back open on Friday, 4pm - 8pm.

And this weekend we'll be open Saturday and Sunday, noon - 8pm.

What a great start to the summer.  See you at the pool!

Yes, the time has finally come.  In about 24 hours the BSC will be open for the summer!

There's still a few odds and ends to be done, so if you can help, stop by the pool tonight.

Now, on to the weekend...

Saturday:  Opening Day!
Are you a 2016 member?  Then come on down!  We're open noon-8pm.

Not yet joined?  Come down and join!  We will have membership forms at the guard station.  Or join online right now.

Sunday:  Forest Hills "Free Look" Day, noon - 8pm
Tell all your Forest Hills friends that they can check us out today for free.  Just stop by the guard station to check in.

Monday:  Memorial Day Party
We open at noon.  The party is 4 - 7pm!
-  We will supply hot dogs, hamburgers, condiments, lemon-aid, water and desserts.
-  Please bring a side dish to share.
-  The cost is $5.00 per person or $10.00 a family.

Looking forward to finally seeing you at the pool!!!

It's finally starting to feel warm outside.  Perfect timing for the opening of the pool this weekend!

Swim Lessons
You asked, and we've got them lined up!

Annmarie, our pool manager, has organized two weeks of swim lessons (eight, 30 minute lessons) starting Monday, June 13.

There are two sessions times to choose from:  11:30am or noon.

The cost is $40/child for members, and $80/child for non-members.

Again that's:

• eight 30 minute lessons, starting at either 11:30am or noon
• two weeks, Monday through Thursday, 6/13 - 6/23
• $40/child for members, $80/child for non-members

Please either sign up at the guard station or email Annmarie at manager@blackridgeswimclub.org.

The First Two Weeks
We've also got our schedule for the first two weeks lined up.

Weekends (including Memorial Day, 5/28 - 5/30, 6/4 - 6/5):  noon - 8pm
Weekdays (5/31 - 6/4, 6/6 - 6/10):  4pm - 8pm

And starting June 11, we'll be open daily, noon - 8pm!

Forest Hills Friends
If you have friends from Forest Hills, I'm sure you've heard that their pool will not be ready for most of the season.

We are offering Forest Hills residents some membership options while it is repaired.

We're also offering them a day to check out our great pool for free:  This Sunday, 5/29.  Let your Forest Hills friends know about this opportunity and get to hang out with them at the BSC this summer!

The BSC is on Twitter
Follow us!  @blackridgepool
We can't promise any witty tweets, but if you get your updates from Twitter, now you can keep up with us there too!

The pool's not yet "open" but it might as well be.  There has been a lot of activity there this week!  Our dedicated and generous members have been pitching in to get the pool grounds into shape.

And that's what our pool is all about.  It is really, "our" pool, and we all help take care of it.  I can't wait for Saturday!!

Join Today!
If you haven't yet joined the BSC for the 2016 season, now is the time to do it.  Check us out online or stop down at the pool any evening this week after 5:30pm to drop off your membership.  We'll be there to put the final touches on the pool grounds.  Come and help if you can!

Free Membership Raffle!
And if you stop down at the pool, pick up a raffle ticket or two, or a whole pile to sell to your friends.  They're $10 each and if you win, you will get you a free membership for the 2016 season!

New Members:
A reminder that if you refer a new member to the pool, you get free events all summer long!!  Just make sure they note you referred them on their membership form.

Finally, we'll be having our annual Memorial Day Party at 4pm.  We provide the burgers and hot dogs, you provide a side, and we all have fun!  $5 a person or $10 a family.  Friends and family are welcome!

See you at the pool...very soon!

​Things are quickly shaping up at the pool.  And the weather has certainly taken a turn for the better!  That means all those things that need good weather to get done (painting, etc.) need to be done this week.  So, if you can help at any time this week, please do!  

We can use your help any time of the day.

If you want to stop down in the evening, folks will be there from 6:00pm (or earlier) on.

If you want to stop down during the day, email grounds@blackridgeswimclub.org and Burris will make sure you can get in and know how to help.

We mainly need help painting, power washing, cleaning chairs, and testing grills.

Thanks for your help, and stay tuned for updates this week.  Five days and counting...

​Today is Endangered Species Day.  What does this have to do with the BSC?

Community pools are becoming an endangered species.  While other neighborhood pools in the area have gone by the wayside, the Blackridge Swim Club has remained strong only due to the active involvement of its members.

We are unique.  If you want to do something to make our pool better, and make sure it stays strong, come help out this weekend!  We're almost a week away from opening day, Saturday, May 28.

This Saturday (5/21):
9-11 am clean up

This Sunday (5/22):
1-2 pm flyer handouts, meet at the pool
2-4 pm clean up

If you can paint, clean, mow, power wash, dig, or just straighten up, you're needed!  Contact Burris (grounds@blackridgeswimclub.org) if you can help, or just show up.  :)

If you can help hand out flyers, let Maria and Kate know (coaches@blackridgeswimclub.org) and we'll see you Sunday!

Hard to believe but there are only nine days left before we open the pool!  Today's the first day it's begun to feel like it too.  :)

Much has been going on:

• Pool Cover Party Part II went well with the help of a dozen folks.  Dirk Page's folding tactics made it an efficient and well organized task!
• Swim Team Signups:  Now on the website.  Email Brigitte (barracudas@blackridgeswimclub.org) or Maria and Julianne (coaches@blackridgeswimclub.org) with any questions.

Much will be going on:

• Pool Cleanup this Saturday (9-11am) and Sunday (2-4pm).  Email Burris (grounds@blackridgeswimclub.org) if you would like to help at other times during the week and he will set you up!
• Remember, refer a new member and get free events all summer!  Now's the time to get your best friends to join the pool for the low $299 new member rate!

In fact, here's a great way to help out this Sunday at 1pm, from Kate and Maria!

Hey everyone!
I hope you are all getting excited about the swim season! It is right around the corner! I know that you all love the pool and look at it as your summer home and we want to help spread this secret to those who may not be aware of all the fun they are missing! This Sunday we are going to be canvasing Blackridge and the surrounding neighborhoods to spread the news and we need YOU! This Sunday, May 22, we will be meeting at the Blackridge Park at 1:00 P.M. and will split into group to pass out pool fliers and talk to neighbors about the pool.  We will only be out for an hour and will come back to the park for a tasty treat! Kate Hanna, our fabulous events chair, will be giving out a free pass to all summer events, for any kid who comes back from our canvassing with a sold membership! As a group we can accomplish much!  Kids bring a parent with you and all of your summer friends! 

See you all on Sunday!
Maria and Kate

Email Maria (coaches@blackridgeswimclub.org) if you can help out!

The morning rain is clearing up and it is certainly helping the gardens grow.  So, what better time to attend the Annual Blackridge Garden Club Plant Auction than...tonight!

The BGC Plant Auction starts at 7pm, tonight (Wednesday), at the BCA building.  Come get some great deals on local plants that have been successfully grown by your neighbors.  Anyone willing to bring additional plants for the Garden Club to auction would be most welcome!

Pool Cover Party Part II -- 6:30pm tonight as well
And, while you're at it, stop down at the pool a little early (6:30pm to be exact) and help us put the pool cover away.  Email president@blackridgeswimclub.org if you can be there tonight.  We'll need at least 10 folks. 

The Pool Cover Party Part I, 2016 edition, is in the books, and it was an incredible success!

Despite a torrential downpour (that conveniently ended when the cover was finally removed), 30 of the most dedicated pool members in the world moved in (nearly) perfect unison to remove the cover.

It was a beautiful sight.

Now that it is dry, we need to get the cover moved to the shed.

So, come out for Part II, TONIGHT (Wednesday) at 6:30 pm.  If you missed Part I, you'll want to be there.  If you were there for Part I, I'm sure you'll want to see the sequel!

20 minutes max!  Then go to the Garden Club Auction at 7pm, at the BCA.  :)

Is it really May?  Yes it is, and the pool will soon be up and running!

Pool Cover Party!
Come and join 20 of your favorite pool friends this Saturday, May 11, to get the pool cover off the pool.  We need to get the pump up and running to make sure the water is crystal clear by Saturday, May 28 for the pool opening.

We'll need 20 folks for about 30 minutes to help remove the cover at 9:30 am.  This will happen rain or shine!

*** Please email president@blackridgeswimclub.org if you can help.  ***

This is the one cleanup activity that absolutely requires numbers, so if you can be there, please do!

Welcome Annmarie
The BSC officially has a new Pool Manager for 2016:  Annmarie Rodrigues!

She has experience managing pools for Woodland Hills and is also the synchronized swim coach at Forest Hills.  She's very excited to be part of the BSC family this summer.  She and her team of returning and new lifeguards will be ready to keep folks feeling safe and welcome.

She can be reached at manager@blackridgeswimclub.org.  Send her a welcome email!

Blackridge Barracudas
The BSC swim team is ready to go with returning coaches Maria and Julianne and both are excited to start the season!

Swimmers attend either morning or evening practices.  Evening practices are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 7:30-8:30.  Morning practices are daily, Monday through Friday. Ages 8 and under are 9:30-10am. Ages 9-10 are 9:30-10:30am. Ages 11 and up are 10:30-11:30am.  Meets are Tuesdays and Thursdays.  

Evening practices start Monday June 6, mornings start Thursday June 9.

Coming Soon:  Sign up on the Barracuda's Page.

Upgrades
No, it's not glamorous, but many folks have been hard at work to get our permanent electrical wiring set up.  The BSC Trench Diggers did their part and can be seen below enjoying the results of their labors (see attached). 

And a word from our sponsors...
Please visit our sponsor page!  We've had a number of businesses already commit to sponsoring the BSC in 2016.  They get a sign at the pool and advertising on the website.

Know a great business that might benefit from a good word at the pool?  Let Ashlee know (abesplen@verizon.net) and she will help you contact them.

See you at the pool!  
-- 
http://www.blackridgeswimclub.org