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UPDATE FROM OUR GENERAL MANAGER
Dear Hills Members,
WOW!!! What an amazing Halloween Party we had this past Friday! For those who attended, I sure hope you had as much fun as I did. And for those that didn't recognize me, I was Kevin, my favorite Minion from the Despicable Me and Minions movies. I cannot tell you how many members approached me to let me know how much fun their family was having.
It's a credit to the staff. They literally begin preparation for this party over the summer, coming up with new ideas, restocking necessary items weeks ahead of the event date. The amount of hours poured into decorating, final preparation, and setup is truly remarkable and it takes the entire staff working together as a team. And it was all worth it. A big thank you to the vendors who helped make this year's Halloween Party so successful: Precision Parking (Valet), Mike's 360 Photobooth, Ayaba Wines, VJ's Sportsbar X Pizza, and Maximize Video Productions.
Lastly, I have to give our Operations Manager, Rosalinda Mendoza, a HUMONGOUS shout out for her role in this year's party. She opened the club that morning at 4:30am, and by the time I arrived she was already cooking in the kitchen. She prepared nearly everything that went into every single taco that was sold on Friday. FYI, we sold hundreds of them. She was here for the entire party, the last 4 hours of working/cooking she was in full costume. And in typical Rosalinda fashion, she opened the club bright and early the following morning. Thank you, Rosalinda for always going above and beyond!
A few quick club updates. By the time you read this, the tree trimming and tree removal along Manzanita Drive should be complete. The raccoons continue to wreak havoc on our lawn in their pursuit of grubs beneath the sod. We may try out a few fake owls perched around the lawn area to see if that may deter them.
I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween. I'm looking forward to falling back with Daylight Saving Time this weekend and Thanksgiving later this month. Sure hope everyone enjoys the holiday with those that mean the most to you. Speaking for myself I have so much to be thankful and grateful for–my family, my health, and my job. I still love this place, I love this club, and never take my role here as GM for granted.
-Nick
Holiday Club Hours
Wednesday, 11/27: Club closes at 4pm
Thursday, 11/28: Club closed (Thanksgiving Day)
Friday, 11/29: Club reopens at 8am
Hills Holiday Sneaker Drive
After a couple of back-to-back years of asking members to donate to our holiday food drive, we were looking for a new fundraiser idea that would not only be easy for members to participate in but also one that supports another good cause. So rather than asking you to reach into your pantries this year we are asking you to reach into your closets!
This holiday season we are partnering with GotSneakers, a sneaker recycling organization. Being that we are a health and fitness club, we figured that you might have some old, gently used sneakers lying around that you could donate to our sneaker drive fundraiser.
Gather as many pairs of sneakers that you no longer want; maybe you've outgrown them, perhaps they're out of style or out of season. Check your closets, mudrooms, garages. If you have 10 pairs, great! If not, we'll take as many as you have to give.
All reusable sneakers from our sneaker drive fundraiser will be recirculated by GotSneakers to secondhand markets so people can access quality, pre-owned footwear at affordable prices. And if you think your old sneaks are too damaged for resale, we'll still take them as they will be recycled by the company to reuse materials or to convert waste into new energy.
GotSneakers offers between $1-$7 per pair for athletic sneakers depending on the style, condition, measurement and brand. All payments associated with our sneaker recycling program will be made payable to and sent to the Alameda County Food Bank, so essentially we are helping multiple causes–a win-win!
Keep an eye out for the bin which we will keep in the lobby throughout the holiday season. Together, let's do our part to help raise money to support the Alameda County Food Bank AND to help our environment by keeping sneakers out of landfills! Every pair counts!
Artist Spotlight: Diane Dunwoodie
This month we are featuring the paintings of former Hills member Diane Dunwoodie. "Art, for me, is a means of growth and discovery - an expression of my being and my becoming. I strive to keep myself unbound by conventional rules, allowing my right brain to flow freely onto the canvas. I'm most excited when the completed work in front of me is visually pleasing. I paint using acrylic because it dries quickly and I can create layers of color and build up textures on the surface. My paint brush or pallet knife is often put aside in order to apply and blend colors with my hands or fingers. I love the feeling of the paint and the canvas. I enjoy this tactile carry over from my many years of working with clay. Recently, I've been drawn to paint abstracts. I find it challenging to paint without using objective references, to paint expressively using color and form. These paintings have a simplicity about them - serene yet burst with color and life."
As soon as all of the spooky Halloween decorations are put away, Diane's paintings will be brightening up the lobby walls, so take a minute to stop and enjoy her artwork.
If you would like to exhibit your work on the walls of The Hills lobby, please email Sally Landis at [email protected].
Breathe Your Way to Less Stress with Pilates
Take a deep breath in and get ready for another holiday season! This holiday season comes at the heels of a very intense election season that also has had our stress levels going through the roof.
Here are some Pilates quotes to help manage our racing hearts and minds:
"Breathing is our first act of Life and our Last." Joseph Pilates
"When in doubt - breathe!" Moira Stott-Merrithew, founder of STOTT PILATES™
"When you own your breath, nobody can steal your peace." Unknown
If you want a full hour of focused breathing, come to Pilates and work both your body and mind.
Contact our Pilates and Wellness Studio today to learn more about our supportive programs and to schedule an appointment: [email protected]
In Health,
-Therese, Barbara, Lawrence, Anne, Colleen, Elizabeth and Carolyn
Lawrence Dancing in Luna Mexicana and in The Nutcracker
When Oakland Ballet Principal Dancer and Ballet Teacher Lawrence Chen isn't teaching pre-ballet and ballet classes at The Hills, he is taking on the lead roles in upcoming Ballet productions. Don't miss the incredible Luna Mexicana pictured above. Tickets are currently offered at a 15% discount: https://oaklandballet.org/ Lawrence is also dancing in the Nutcracker performances in December.
Our own ballet classes are preparing for their upcoming recital on Monday, December 9.
If you are interested in learning more about our Ballet classes, please contact [email protected]
Reformer Classes With Openings for New & Returning Students
Reformer is THE workout for anyone looking for a full body and core strengthening routine. Our reformer Pilates classes are quickly filling up. Below are classes with some availability:
- Mixed Level Reformer on Mondays at 5:30pm
- Reformer II on Tuesdays at 4pm
- Mixed Level Reformer on Tuesdays at 5pm
- Reformer II on Thursdays at 5pm
- Mixed Level Reformer on Fridays at 9am
- Mixed Level Reformer on Sundays at 10am
Please note that all new Pilates and/or new reformer students need to have an intake session prior to class. Contact our studio to get started today: [email protected]
For more information, please see our studio policy below:
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our studio policy before taking a class or session. Our Pilates studio policies are developed in accordance with Pilates industry standards and with everyone's safety and benefit in mind: PILATES STUDIO POLICIES.docx
You find our schedule here:
PILATES STUDIO SCHEDULE NOVEMBER 2024
Book classes here and on The Hills app:https://cachstc.clubautomation.com/
We offer packages of reformer classes of either 4 or 10 sessions for a savings of up to $75.
Get news, updates and inspiration for Pilates through our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hillspilatesandwellness/
Embrace Holiday Exercise
I hope you all had a great Halloween! It's hard to believe that it's already November. Try to take some time this month to reflect on what you're thankful for in your life. We're too often hard on ourselves for things we can't control or things that we're working on but might not be achieving fast enough. It's so important for our minds and our bodies to give ourselves a pat on the back for the things we have accomplished and to be grateful for everything that is going right in our lives. So be kind to yourselves this month as the holiday season can be busy, and it's often difficult to take time for daily workouts. Remember that movement is important for your health, so squeeze it in where you can. If you need help or simply a workout refresh, reach out to one of our personal trainers, try a Peak Fit or group fitness class. We have something for everyone.
The Hills Personal Trainer Team:
Jeff Allen, [email protected]
Ilene Grossman, [email protected]
Danielle Marchetti, [email protected]
Jenn Sanchez [email protected]
New Class Times & New Yoga Instructor!
Take a look at the changes happening in group fitness…
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Spin & Sculpt with Jhunehl is back to its original time of 5:30pm on Wednesdays
- Yoga Hatha is now Gentle Power Yoga with Anisha and offered at its original time of 6:45pm on Wednesdays
- Dance 360 with Angelique is now Zumba with Michelle at 9am on Fridays
- Qigong with Robin is on hold for the winter months
Welcome Anisha Toor to our team! Anisha is our newest yoga instructor and she is excited to be part of our community. You can join her for a gentle power yoga on Wednesdays at 6:45 pm.
Please remember to look at the online schedule for class times as well as last-minute class cancellations.
Reminder to Register for Peak Fit Classes
No one likes having their workout cancelled at the last minute. To ensure that your Peak Fit classes aren't cancelled, you must register online, at least 12 hours in advance. We require a minimum of 4 participants per class. You can unregister online, up to 24 hours prior to the start of class. We're offering a 10-class package for $180 and your drop in fee is $20 per class.
Peak Fit Studio Schedule
Mondays, 11 am All About Strength with Sara
This beginner class focuses on strength building, using your body weight, the TRX and other equipment we have in the Peak Fit studio.
Wednesdays, 9am TRX conditioning with Tori
This class is great for beginners or experienced members on TRX who are looking to improve their muscle imbalances, mobility and overall endurance.
Thursdays, 12pm Strength and Stability with Danielle
This class integrates strength, balance and flexibility movements utilizing TRX straps, kettlebells and other fun pieces of equipment. Getting you stronger for whatever you're looking to achieve.
As always, feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
- Jenn Sanchez, [email protected]
Group Fitness Director
Fitness Coordinator
Pool Schedule & Pool Policies
Our pools are a popular place to be all year round. Our regular programming rarely slows down. We have numerous times throughout each day that the lap pool and surrounding pools are very busy. We encourage everyone to understand our swim policies and follow our programming to ensure the best Hills experience.
View our Pool Policies here
View the General Pool Schedule here
Private, Semi-Private Swim Lessons Offered Year Round
Private and semi-private swim lessons continue through the winter months. Lessons are scheduled directly with a Hills instructor. Weekends and mid-day times are usually the easiest times to book. After school hours are generally booked until 7pm, so being flexible with your schedule is highly encouraged. Be sure to include the age and skill level of the swimmer and the times/dates that work best for you. Please be aware that instructors may only respond if they have availability. Learn more about our offerings here!
-Shad Wojtala
Aquatics Director/Head Swim Coach
The Hills Swim and Tennis Club/Hills Hurricane Swimming
Aqua Fitness and S'WET™ DEEP
Our regular aqua fitness classes are free with your membership and are offered 4 days a week from 9-10am. We supply any/all equipment for the class such as flotation belts, noodles, styrofoam barbells and more. These "water" workouts vary from class to class, but are typically a fun and social atmosphere. Since our aqua fitness classes are well attended we kindly ask that you register in advance if you plan on participating. 
If you want a more rigorous water workout, jump into a S'WET™ DEEP class! This class is ideal for swimmers, athletes and fitness enthusiasts seeking a serious full-body workout. Designed to incorporate blocks of activity focused on HIIT, strength, and advanced cardio training, with a splash of fun to work your entire body, S'WET™ DEEP combines steady state conditioning, isolation work, and strategic body angles to effectively strengthen your core and provide a comprehensive full-body workout. This is a great cross-training workout without any impact.
Class Time: Tuesdays, 7:30-8:15am; please arrive on time.
Location: Diving well
Maximum of 9 students - register here!
Registration Open for Winter Tennis Clinics
Join us this winter for an exciting lineup of tennis clinics designed for players of all ages and skill levels! Our junior sessions cater to Little Stars (ages 6-7), Rising Stars (ages 8-11), and Supernovas (ages 12-17), while adults can join our beginning and intermediate clinics. Parent-child sessions are also available for some fun bonding time on the court. Each session is tailored to maximize skill-building and enjoyment, with small group sizes ensuring individualized coaching. Secure your spot today and elevate your game this season! Session Dates: The dates listed below are the session dates for all clinics except Supernovas, which takes place on the Mondays immediately following each date listed in this section (e.g. Winter 1 Supernovas session dates are 1/20 & 1/27).
A la carte week: 1/12
Winter 1: 1/19-1/26
Winter 2: 2/2-2/9
Winter 3: 2/16-2/23
Junior Clinics (max of 8 players per class)
Little Stars age 6&7: Sundays, 12:15-1:15pm for $85/session
Rising Stars age 8-11: Sundays, 1:30-3pm for $105/session
Supernovas age 12-17: Mondays, 4:30-6pm for $105/session
Adult Clinics (max of 6 players per class)
Adult Beginning: Sundays, 5:30-6:30pm for $105/session
Adult Intermediate: Sundays, 4-5:30pm for $125/session
Parent & Child activity session (max of 4 players per class)
Mini Stars: Sundays, 3:15-3:45pm for $25/week
Non-members are welcome to join our clinic program for an additional $20 registration fee per 2 week session ($10 for a la carte week). Use links above to check pricing for A La Carte week clinics.
Catch you on court,
Coach Sydney
Tennis Coordinator and Instructor
[email protected]
Kids Get a Kick Out of Tae Kwon Do
Our TKD program continues to empower kids! This is a year round program that builds confidence, mental toughness and self esteem.
There are currently 12 students enrolled, ranging in age from 8-14. The program is split into two groups based on level and ability. The younger kids often focus on fundamental movements, basic kicks, and simple forms. As kids progress, the complexity of techniques and training intensifies.
Tuesdays & Thursdays
3:30–4:45pm Beginner
6–7:15pm Advanced
Members: $95 per month
Non-members: $110 per month
Register your kid(s) today! Registration forms can be found here. For more information, please contact Sensei Jeff directly via email or by calling 510-339-0234 x118.
Pickleball/Basketball Court Open for Play
Our sport court has reopened and is reserved exclusively for pickleball from 11am-1pm Monday through Friday. All you need to do is show up! You'll meet and play with our weekly pickleball group. If your schedule is open during this time, stop by for some friendly competition. All ages and levels are welcome.
Members can book a 1-hour reservation per membership per day. If you don't have your own equipment, you can ask the front desk staff for the pickleball bag (complete with paddles and balls). Or if you prefer a game of hoops, borrow one of our basketballs from the front desk, slide the net out of the way, and work on your free throws!
November Staff Birthdays 
We love celebrating our employees' birthdays here at The Hills! Please join us in wishing each of these "November babies" a happy birthday and thanking them for all of their hard work!
Shad Wojtala, 11/07
Sally Cole, 11/10
Anne-Sophie Mills, 11/17
Jhunehl Fortaleza, 11/17
Elisa Cascardi, 11/27
Guest Passes Your 2024 free guest passes expire 12/31/2024 so don't let them go to waste! You can now redeem your free guest passes any day of the week through the end of the year. If you have already used all 15 free guest passes, you can still bring guests but you will be subject to the following guest fees: Adults (Age 18 & older), $25; Children (Age 2-17), $15; Under 2 years of age, free. Members are allowed to bring 4 guests per membership per day. All guests are required to have a waiver on file. To expedite the check-in process please click here for the Online Guest Waiver.
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