My daughter and I are leaving for South Africa and Zambia on Tuesday 1/4! We will be doing lots of sight seeing, but are also visiting the SOS Childrens Home in Livingstone, Zambia. They have told us that they have 95 girls and 85 boys from 1 to 17 years old - but most of the kids are under age 10.
So, we are seeking T-Shirts for kids to take with us to this children's home. If you have a new or lightly used T-shirt (or other clothes too) that you would like to find a worthy, new home in Zambia, PLEASE bring us the shirt by Sunday, 1/2 so we can get them packed up.
Any and all shirts would be welcome. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
New Member Social Pictures
We love hosting a party...especially one in honor of our wonderful members! Our New Member Social is a great time for new members to meet staff and our not-so-new members for a fun time of socializing, great food, beverages, and even round robin tennis. Check out our pictures!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Our Streets are SUPER Icy
Our streets coming and going and in front of the Club are SUPER icy! We are doing what we can to break up the ice and sand, but if you are not a confident driver with capabilities to drive in the ice, you may want to arrange for different transportation to the club.
We have requested sanding from the City, but we are on a very long list of streets that need attention.
Walking can be very slippery! Be careful!
And....it is starting to snow again.....
~Robin
We have requested sanding from the City, but we are on a very long list of streets that need attention.
Walking can be very slippery! Be careful!
And....it is starting to snow again.....
~Robin
Thursday, November 18, 2010
POWER IS ON!
All of our lights are on! Tennis Clinics at 4:15 and for the rest of the night are on! The Train Like a Pro class is cancelled.
Any missed clinic today will be made up on Friday, December 17th at their regular time.
Thanks to the speedy work of the PSE technician who fixed the fuse at the pole, and Fritz from F & E Able Electric who found the problem with our tennis court lights.
Any missed clinic today will be made up on Friday, December 17th at their regular time.
Thanks to the speedy work of the PSE technician who fixed the fuse at the pole, and Fritz from F & E Able Electric who found the problem with our tennis court lights.
11/18 POWER OUTAGE
THE CLUB IS CLOSED
Its 3:24pm and our power is OUT at the Club.
Tennis Clinics are cancelled today! Makeups will be held on FRIDAY, December 17th at the same times.
Apparently we have a partial transformer blown. Puget Sound Energy has dispatched a technician - but who knows when they will get here.
So Sorry! We will post a note here as SOON as we are open again!
~Robin Robertson, Owner
Its 3:24pm and our power is OUT at the Club.
Tennis Clinics are cancelled today! Makeups will be held on FRIDAY, December 17th at the same times.
Apparently we have a partial transformer blown. Puget Sound Energy has dispatched a technician - but who knows when they will get here.
So Sorry! We will post a note here as SOON as we are open again!
~Robin Robertson, Owner
Monday, November 8, 2010
Help Whatcom Middle School Win a New Computer Lab!
Whatcom Middle School is one of FIVE finalists in the nation to win a new computer lab!
Click this link to vote:
Click this link to vote:
You can vote once per day.....keep on voting!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Only 3 Spots Left in Cycle Moles!
Don't miss out on the Cycle Moles Indoor Winter Training Program - only 3 spots left! Sign up now for this coached program that will increase your power and endurance over the winter. You'll emerge in the spring faster than ever! Don't turn into a couch potato and let your fitness go to waste this winter...join us for this fun and challenging cycling program from November 1 - February 23 on Monday & Wednesday nights at 6:30pm. Click Here for more Cycle Moles Information!
THRILLER on Halloween
Hey Zombie Followers - Here is the line up on Halloween:
THRILLER IN FAIRHAVEN AT 7:30PM (at the gravel lot next to Village Green)
THRILLER IN DOWNTOWN AT 9:00PM (Downtown - Maritime Heritage Park)
And for all you little ghouls....trick or treating in Fairhaven is from 3 - 6pm!
THRILLER IN FAIRHAVEN AT 7:30PM (at the gravel lot next to Village Green)
THRILLER IN DOWNTOWN AT 9:00PM (Downtown - Maritime Heritage Park)
And for all you little ghouls....trick or treating in Fairhaven is from 3 - 6pm!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Hit & Fit Poem
For all you out there wondering what the Hit & Fit is all about our very own Club Poet Susan Willis give you her experience through a bit of a rhyme.
I took a little survey
to see what I could learn
to get my body stronger
and make my muscles burn
Elizabeth & Ginny are really quite the gals
They put us through our paces
with bosus,balls and stretchy bands
gets our muscles strong and smiling red faces
Matthew is really quite the guy
to teach us strokes and tell us why
We move our feet and practice the sit
That's why I Love Hit & Fit!
There is a New Hit & Fit mini session starting October 11th.
Sign up and see how you can bring your game to a new level by strengthening up the foundation of your tennis game.
I took a little survey
to see what I could learn
to get my body stronger
and make my muscles burn
Elizabeth & Ginny are really quite the gals
They put us through our paces
with bosus,balls and stretchy bands
gets our muscles strong and smiling red faces
Matthew is really quite the guy
to teach us strokes and tell us why
We move our feet and practice the sit
That's why I Love Hit & Fit!
There is a New Hit & Fit mini session starting October 11th.
Sign up and see how you can bring your game to a new level by strengthening up the foundation of your tennis game.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Statements Delayed...coming this week!
Your Bellingham Tennis Club & Fairhaven Fitness dues statement should arrive in your mailbox no later than Friday! Our conversion to our new rates structure has had a few delays and we just want to make sure everything is right before we send you your statement.
We hope you will enjoy the Tennis &/or Fitness Guest Pass that you will receive with your statement as an apology for being tardy with our bill. You may use these passes for a friend to enjoy the Club too! Tennis passes were given to tennis members and fitness passes for fitness members. For the tennis pass, we ask that your friend plays on a court with you. Both types of passes have full use of our fitness facility - try one of our drop-in group fitness classes!
Thanks for your patience with our billing system. We hope to be operating normally by October 1st.
Sincerely - Robin Robertson
We hope you will enjoy the Tennis &/or Fitness Guest Pass that you will receive with your statement as an apology for being tardy with our bill. You may use these passes for a friend to enjoy the Club too! Tennis passes were given to tennis members and fitness passes for fitness members. For the tennis pass, we ask that your friend plays on a court with you. Both types of passes have full use of our fitness facility - try one of our drop-in group fitness classes!
Thanks for your patience with our billing system. We hope to be operating normally by October 1st.
Sincerely - Robin Robertson
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Robin on ENW on KVOS TV!
Deb Slater from KVOS TV interviewed me for the "Experience Northwest" TV show that will air Saturday, September 4th at 5pm, Monday September 6th at 7:30am, and Wednesday September 8th at 7:30am. If you see the segment, be sure and let me know what I can do better next time! I was unusually nervous and tongue tied....let's hope I made sense!
During the show you'll hear me talk about our FREE classes we have coming up starting with the
FREE Beginners Tennis Clinics on September 11th - Kids ages 6-16 at noon - 1pm; Adults 1:30-2:30pm
Our regular session Tennis Clinics (7 weeks long) start the week of 9/13 - they are filling up so don't delay signing up!
FREE Classes to Try during the week of September 13-16
Check it OUT!
See you soon! Robin Robertson
During the show you'll hear me talk about our FREE classes we have coming up starting with the
FREE Beginners Tennis Clinics on September 11th - Kids ages 6-16 at noon - 1pm; Adults 1:30-2:30pm
Our regular session Tennis Clinics (7 weeks long) start the week of 9/13 - they are filling up so don't delay signing up!
FREE Classes to Try during the week of September 13-16
- Hit & Fit: (Adult) The Ultimate Tennis and Fitness Program - Mon 9/13 & Wed 9/15 at 6:30am or 9:00am
- Train Like the Pros: Junior Fitness program to explode your tennis game!- Mon 9/13 & Wed 9/15 at 4:15pm; Tues & Thurs 9/14 & 9/16 at 4:30pm (30 minutes)
- Yoga for Cyclists (or anybody with tight hips, legs, back, and neck) - Mon & Wed 6:30pm
- Winter Sports Boot Camp (great program to get in shape!) - Tue & Thur 6:30pm
Check it OUT!
See you soon! Robin Robertson
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
We've Updated our Events Calendar
WOW! Look in the right hand column to see all the events and classes and workshops that we have planned for you this fall! Some of them like the Thrillingham - Learn the Thriller dance and the Cycle Moles Winter Training Camp have early bird signups to save you money!
Fall Leagues Sign Up Starts Monday, August 23rd
Members, be sure to put your name on the lists for the fall leagues! We will determine the league rosters through a lottery system. Doubles Leagues run week of September 13th through November 15th. Cost is $30 per player which includes a balls for each court every week, and prizes with a party on the last day of league! Singles Ladders will run September 17-November 19 and cost is $15 per player. Players in the singles ladder may play each other one time. All league play does NOT count against your reservation allowances.
Sign up!
Sign up!
Friday, July 30, 2010
An Apology ...We Blew It!
Hi Members,
The 8:30am Strength Training class was not supposed to be cancelled today, on July 30th. I am not sure what happened on our part, but apparently we really blew it. Please accept my apology.
I want to make sure that you know that the Friday group fitness classes are cancelled in August. Attendance tends to be very low in August and our summer class rosters have shown that we are below an average of 6 per class. Other classes cancelled in August include Tuesday yoga at 5:15pm and Thursday Circuit Fit at 5:15pm.
We are analyzing our schedules and getting ready for fall. I have been hearing from many of you and of course will consider your comments in our mix of considerations when planning a new schedule.
A little history about group classes and where we have come from...
When Doug and I bought the Club in May of 2000, we had three aerobics classes per week and our Fitness dues rates were actually higher than they are now. We experimented with adding many more classes and worked our way up to 22 classes per week, without even adjusting dues. What we are finding is that we cannot compete with the big clubs that offer the same thing because...well...we aren't a big club. We cannot stuff 30 people into the group fitness classroom. We do not have thousands of members to subsidize the classes that only a small percentage of our membership take advantage of. We do not have mediocre instructors.
Our classes are small in size, more like group personal training sessions than general fitness classes. Most clubs our size charge $9 - $15 per drop-in class. Under our current dues structure, here you have the option to take as many classes as you want per month and they are included in your dues! If you take 3 classes per week and simply divide it with your dues, that works out to be only $3.75 per class or less. Of course our expenses are much higher than that because your dues pay for much more than just a class.
Our instructors are best of the best. We are proud that our instructors can give personalized instruction in every class. We want to maintain the high level of service that we offer in every class. But, as a small club, we just can't do it all when classes fall below a minimum attendance average of 8 people per class.
We still want to offer a nice selection of classes for Members before work, during the day, and after work to help you with your general fitness needs. You will see that our August schedule is pared down since it is the slowest month of the year. As we move into September, we will offer most classes on a Mon-Thurs basis. This leaves Friday as a do-it yourself opportunity, or maybe a great time to spend with one of our Personal Trainers to really get your fitness moving. You know the saying, "If you keep doing what you are doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting." If you have reached a plateau in your fitness, it might be time to mix it up.
We will be offering more "Training Camp" classes. These programs are offered for an additional fee and worth every penny. These are small group training classes that are dedicated to to help you progress. In fact, every camp will have several personal parameters we will measure at the beginning and end of camp so you can see your progress. We are so sure that you'll benefit from these camps that we offer a 100% money back guarantee!
I know that change can be difficult, but can also be an opportunity to try new things. We are constantly evaluating our programs here and working to bring you the best mix of activities possible. I'd love to just give it all away, but that would definately put us out of business. So, we will strive to bring you the best value for your dollar. I think you would be hard pressed to find a better small group class environment at any Club, anywhere. We are proud of what we offer and strive to continue to bring you the very best.
Sincerely,
Robin Robertson
Owner & Manager
The 8:30am Strength Training class was not supposed to be cancelled today, on July 30th. I am not sure what happened on our part, but apparently we really blew it. Please accept my apology.
I want to make sure that you know that the Friday group fitness classes are cancelled in August. Attendance tends to be very low in August and our summer class rosters have shown that we are below an average of 6 per class. Other classes cancelled in August include Tuesday yoga at 5:15pm and Thursday Circuit Fit at 5:15pm.
We are analyzing our schedules and getting ready for fall. I have been hearing from many of you and of course will consider your comments in our mix of considerations when planning a new schedule.
A little history about group classes and where we have come from...
When Doug and I bought the Club in May of 2000, we had three aerobics classes per week and our Fitness dues rates were actually higher than they are now. We experimented with adding many more classes and worked our way up to 22 classes per week, without even adjusting dues. What we are finding is that we cannot compete with the big clubs that offer the same thing because...well...we aren't a big club. We cannot stuff 30 people into the group fitness classroom. We do not have thousands of members to subsidize the classes that only a small percentage of our membership take advantage of. We do not have mediocre instructors.
Our classes are small in size, more like group personal training sessions than general fitness classes. Most clubs our size charge $9 - $15 per drop-in class. Under our current dues structure, here you have the option to take as many classes as you want per month and they are included in your dues! If you take 3 classes per week and simply divide it with your dues, that works out to be only $3.75 per class or less. Of course our expenses are much higher than that because your dues pay for much more than just a class.
Our instructors are best of the best. We are proud that our instructors can give personalized instruction in every class. We want to maintain the high level of service that we offer in every class. But, as a small club, we just can't do it all when classes fall below a minimum attendance average of 8 people per class.
We still want to offer a nice selection of classes for Members before work, during the day, and after work to help you with your general fitness needs. You will see that our August schedule is pared down since it is the slowest month of the year. As we move into September, we will offer most classes on a Mon-Thurs basis. This leaves Friday as a do-it yourself opportunity, or maybe a great time to spend with one of our Personal Trainers to really get your fitness moving. You know the saying, "If you keep doing what you are doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting." If you have reached a plateau in your fitness, it might be time to mix it up.
We will be offering more "Training Camp" classes. These programs are offered for an additional fee and worth every penny. These are small group training classes that are dedicated to to help you progress. In fact, every camp will have several personal parameters we will measure at the beginning and end of camp so you can see your progress. We are so sure that you'll benefit from these camps that we offer a 100% money back guarantee!
I know that change can be difficult, but can also be an opportunity to try new things. We are constantly evaluating our programs here and working to bring you the best mix of activities possible. I'd love to just give it all away, but that would definately put us out of business. So, we will strive to bring you the best value for your dollar. I think you would be hard pressed to find a better small group class environment at any Club, anywhere. We are proud of what we offer and strive to continue to bring you the very best.
Sincerely,
Robin Robertson
Owner & Manager
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Our NEW BALL MACHINE is here!
You asked, we got it. Our NEW BALL MACHINE is here!
We know that some of you were frustrated with the old one whose remote was unreliable and unfixable. The ball machine itself worked just fine, you just had to adjust it at the machine rather than with a remote. Being one to "use it up, wear it out, make it do", I was a little hard pressed to replace it when it worked fine. (In fact, I thought it was better because it forced you to run to the machine to adjust it so you wouldn't lose balls! - more workout!)
But.....with as many requests as we had to fix the remote and knowing that it could not be done, we bit the bullet and brought to you the top of the line Playmate Ball Machine. I hope you will enjoy many great tennis workouts!
Ball Machine is available only to members at the rental fee of $10 per session or $80 for 6 months rental with the "Ball Machine Club" Our ball machine is available on court one and usually needs an advance reservation. Try it out!
~Robin
We know that some of you were frustrated with the old one whose remote was unreliable and unfixable. The ball machine itself worked just fine, you just had to adjust it at the machine rather than with a remote. Being one to "use it up, wear it out, make it do", I was a little hard pressed to replace it when it worked fine. (In fact, I thought it was better because it forced you to run to the machine to adjust it so you wouldn't lose balls! - more workout!)
But.....with as many requests as we had to fix the remote and knowing that it could not be done, we bit the bullet and brought to you the top of the line Playmate Ball Machine. I hope you will enjoy many great tennis workouts!
Ball Machine is available only to members at the rental fee of $10 per session or $80 for 6 months rental with the "Ball Machine Club" Our ball machine is available on court one and usually needs an advance reservation. Try it out!
~Robin
Saturday, June 19, 2010
WOW- Two Days packed full of Club Scrubbin'
Check out some pictures of our team hard at work! We kicked off the two day Club Scrub with an ALL STAFF meeting that generated many great ideas! We will have some exciting new things for you coming this fall. We worked hard and enjoyed our time. Thanks to all of our team who participated in the spirit building and club scrubbing event!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Club Scub: Feelin' Clean!
Remember, our club is closed on June 17 & 18 for our annual Club Scrub to do some heavy duty cleaning and maintenance. Feel free to drop by to see how hard we are all working! Check out our job list below.
COURT RESERVATIONS will be taken as usual on Thursday and Friday at 7:00-8:00 am. All other booking must be done online as we will not be answering the phones.
"Get 'er Done" Job List:
TENNIS COURTS
Structural Inspection of Building (Com Steel)
Lifts on courts to replace all burned ballasts (Able Electric) & bulbs and clean the fixture lenses
Clean behind all backdrops, remove any unnecessary items
Net & net post maintenance
Dust walls and beams - defuzzify!
Patch ceiling and side walls
Cleaning and maintenance of court sweepers
Install new backdrop (north) on Court 1
Scrub and wash all the courts
GROUP TRAINING & WEIGHT ROOM
Clean/Dust all fans, vents, windowsills
Move all cardion equipment to clean underneath
Hang sound deflector in group training room
Thorough cleaning of all small equipment (Balls, Bosu, Mats, Dumbbells)
LOBBY, LOCKER ROOMS, GENERAL FACILITY
Clean vents for ventilation system
Clean laundry area; reorganize storage closet
Touch up paint where needed
Caulking in Locker Rooms
Scrub Saunas
Sand bench in women's locker room
Paint window trim and garbage enclosure outside of building
Sand, paint ramp
COURT RESERVATIONS will be taken as usual on Thursday and Friday at 7:00-8:00 am. All other booking must be done online as we will not be answering the phones.
"Get 'er Done" Job List:
TENNIS COURTS
Structural Inspection of Building (Com Steel)
Lifts on courts to replace all burned ballasts (Able Electric) & bulbs and clean the fixture lenses
Clean behind all backdrops, remove any unnecessary items
Net & net post maintenance
Dust walls and beams - defuzzify!
Patch ceiling and side walls
Cleaning and maintenance of court sweepers
Install new backdrop (north) on Court 1
Scrub and wash all the courts
GROUP TRAINING & WEIGHT ROOM
Clean/Dust all fans, vents, windowsills
Move all cardion equipment to clean underneath
Hang sound deflector in group training room
Thorough cleaning of all small equipment (Balls, Bosu, Mats, Dumbbells)
LOBBY, LOCKER ROOMS, GENERAL FACILITY
Clean vents for ventilation system
Clean laundry area; reorganize storage closet
Touch up paint where needed
Caulking in Locker Rooms
Scrub Saunas
Sand bench in women's locker room
Paint window trim and garbage enclosure outside of building
Sand, paint ramp
Saturday, June 12, 2010
The best minds in the industry...
I just spent two days with the top 20 people in the fitness industry at a "mastermind" group Meeting in Las Vegas! It was an amazing experience, to pick their brains about what brings our clients the best results. I've also been checking out the responses to our SURVEY that went out a couple of days ago. Thank you to those who have already responded! The information from both these events is going to help us bring you some amazing programs that will give you results like crazy! We are going straight to the drawing board to get these programs ready for you soon!
Have a great weekend!
Robin
ps- please fill out the survey if you haven't already. You could win a $100 gift card!
Pps - the survey should be in your email box. If not, go to our website home page And click the link. Www.bellinghamtennis.com
Have a great weekend!
Robin
ps- please fill out the survey if you haven't already. You could win a $100 gift card!
Pps - the survey should be in your email box. If not, go to our website home page And click the link. Www.bellinghamtennis.com
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
BTC/FF Regains Tricycle Championship!
Anniversary Party Fun!
We had a blast at our Anniversary Party on May 12th, celebrating our 10 years of ownership and 37th birthday for the Club. About 100 members and staff joined us to socialize while enjoying delicious food, spinning the wheel for prizes, and round robin tennis. Thanks everyone for making this the best Club in the world! ~ Robin & Doug Robertson
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