Here’s a little round-up of three very different opportunities taking place this weekend, right here on the Olympic Peninsula.

First of all, the Viking Jazz Festival in Poulsbo is offering an evening concert on Friday, February 1st, featuring some of the best Jr. and Sr. High School Jazz Bands in the state. Contact David Dunbar (360-598-8704) for more information.

Secondly, the local Master Gardeners group is teaching a workshop on vineyard pruning at the Mason County Fairgrounds Master Gardener’s demonstration garden on Sunday, February 3rd, from 10 am to 12 noon. Come and learn how to grow your own grapes, and take home some cuttings for your own garden!

Finally, all Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club members are invited to a Super Bowl party on Sunday, February 3rd at the old clubhouse. (This is the last scheduled event at the clubhouse before demolition begins.) It’s a potluck, so bring your favorite appetizers and beverages to share, and be there before the 2:30 p.m. kickoff.

Are you a jazz lover, a gardening enthusiast, or a football fan (or maybe all three?) There’s a little something here for everyone. Leave a comment, and let us know which of these activities you’ll attend!

Last Sunday, the Alderbrook community celebrated the beginning of a new era with a final breakfast in the old clubhouse. Lots of people turned out to enjoy great food, and share their excitement about the new clubhouse, as well as their cherished memories of the old clubhouse. Construction will start on the new clubhouse in March, and is scheduled to be completed in early December.

The highlight of the morning, however, was celebrating the 96th birthday of the oldest member of the Alderbrook community. Claire has lived at Alderbrook for 40 years and remains active in the community, participating in several bridge groups and attending all community social events. And boy, did she have some memories to share! Her earliest memories of the clubhouse include an old stone fireplace that everyone used to gather around; unfortunately, it was torn down many years ago during a remodel of the clubhouse. She also remembers the hot dogs that the golf pro and his wife used to prepare for the members. (I think the clubhouse cuisine has improved somewhat since then!)

Join with me in wishing Claire (shown in the picture above with her son, Wally, and her daughter, Judi) a belated happy birthday, with best wishes for a healthy and active 96th year!

This time of year always makes me feel like pampering myself just a little. I don’t know if it’s because I’m still recuperating from cleaning up after all the Christmas activities and gifts, or because life just seems to quiet down in January for a spell, but I’m ready to do something special for myself to help celebrate the beginning of a new year. A trip to a spa might be just the ticket!

One of the best things about living on the south end of Hood Canal is the Alderbrook Resort and Spa. Located just down the hill from Alderbrook Properties, this beautiful facility offers a wide variety of massages (including a Healing Hot Stone Massage … that sounds really nice during the colder winter months!) as well as various body treatments (an algae wrap … hmmm … I’m not so sure about that one), the obligatory manicure/pedicure, and different facials (including one for gentlemen). And if you’re short on time, you can even get an express facial in just 30 minutes!

You’ll need to call first to make a reservation, but same-day reservations are fine, providing there’s room on the schedule.

I think I’m leaning toward the Healing Hot Stone Massage … what about you? Reflexology, perhaps? That algae wrap, maybe? Check out all the services offered at the Alderbrook Spa  and leave a comment telling us the one you’d most like to try!

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Many people refuse to make resolutions because they don’t want to fail at them. They avoid the whole depressing “I-haven’t-followed-through-on-my-resolutions” episode that occurs around January 21st for many people.

On the other hand, people who set goals generally get more done than people who don’t. And what are resolutions if not goals we strive to meet? The problem starts when we set unrealistic goals for ourselves (like losing 30 pounds in two weeks), or we make too many resolutions and lose focus. So keeping all that in mind, here are some ideas for realistic yet satisfying resolutions to make for 2008.

• Do you have a home decorating or garden project idea you’d like to tackle this year?
• Do you have a financial goal you’d like to meet, like paying off a credit card, or purchasing a new home? (We’ve got some nice ones here at Alderbrook Properties!)
• Do you have personal improvement in mind, like reading more, learning to play a musical instrument, exercising more, or improving your golf game? (You can always practice here at the Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club.)
• Do you want to pamper yourself a little? (We’ve got the Alderbrook Resort & Spa just down the street …)

The important thing about resolutions is to select them carefully and define them well, so you know when you’ve succeeded. And remember not to make too many; three small, well-defined resolutions are probably enough for most people, and may be too many for some of us. (grin)

So now that we’ve rung in 2008, it’s time to decide: will you make any resolutions this year? If you do, leave a comment and let us know what they are!