News

California Wines Dominate at Club Taste-Off

California once again emerged triumphant in the Club's recent Seasonal Wine Taste-Off.

In a repeat of April's competition, three of the four winning wines were from the Golden State.

From the lineup of 12 whites and 12 reds, the 2017 Barrique Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast was selected as the seasonal white for November to January, with Submission's 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, also from California, as the house red for the same period.

The seasonal white and red for next February to April are Meyer-Fonné's 2018 Gentil d'Alsace and a 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon from California's Joel Gott, respectively.

Eight-five Members voted in the biannual event.

Record-High Satisfaction in Membership Survey

Overall satisfaction with the Club hit an all-time high in the recent annual membership survey.

Of the record 1,683 Members who completed the survey, 93.7 percent rated the Club either "very good" or "excellent." That figure is up from last year's 92 percent.

While overall membership value dropped by 0.5 percent from last year, scores of "excellent" in this area increased by 2.3 percent.

Of the 26 areas of the Club evaluated in the survey, 23 improved their ratings from 2018, with the Guest Studios receiving the most favorable assessment.

Once again, the main reasons for using the Club were for the recreation and fitness facilities (76 percent), the dining outlets (71 percent) and family-oriented activities (38 percent).

Members can check the full survey results (log-in required) here.

Club to Open New Dining Spot

The Club launches its newest dining space on October 18.

Located in the former CHOP Bar, Vista is an all-day destination for morning coffees and snacks, lunch and evening cocktails and bar food.

The lounge, with its stylish, European-style furnishings and herringbone-patterned floor, offers Members both a quiet, daytime retreat and an evening hub for  socializing and entertaining.

“We wanted to preserve [CHOP Bar],” says Jim Weisser, chair of the Food & Beverage Committee. “It should still be a place in the evening where you can go have a good glass of wine or the best cocktails in town with a burger or steak, but also somewhere our Members can enjoy during the day.”

Vista is open on weekdays, from 9am to 11:30pm.

NBA Trophy to Visit Club

The Club is set to welcome the NBA's Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy on October 6.

The trophy, awarded to the winner of the NBA Finals each year, will be accompanied by four-time NBA All-Star Shawn Marion.

Members will have a chance to snap selfies at this meet and greet and win tickets to a preseason game in Saitama between reigning champions the Toronto Raptors and the Houston Rockets.

The trophy is named after former NBA commissioner Larry O'Brien, who served from 1975 to 1984.

Board Election Slate Released

The Board of Governors has approved the slate of candidates for this year's Board election.

The election will be held in conjunction with the Annual General Meeting on November 26.

The following list of candidates was proposed by the Club's Nominating Committee:

• American Citizens (four to be elected)         
  Michael Alfant
  Jeffrey S Behr
  John Flanagan
  Catherine Onaka
  Samuel Rogan
  Betsy Rogers
  Jim Weisser
• Japanese Citizens (one to be elected)
  Machi Nemoto
  Kenji Ota   
• Other Nationalities (one to be elected)
  Laurent Bertiau
  Alok Rakyan
• Women’s Group Representative (one to be elected) 
  Heidi Regent

Electioneering
In accordance with Chapter 5, Section 31 of the General Rules, unauthorized electioneering, including written communication to Club Members, other than in official Club election materials, during any election period, is prohibited.

Violations by a candidate for governor, upon review and recommendation of the Nominating Committee, may result in the disqualification of the candidate. Proper decorum is expected during the election period.