Drone Video of the back nine

The back nine is due to open November 16.

Guess I'd better find another place to rest as my favorite chair seems to be occupied.

Activity Update

While our normal entertainment, dances, and events are canceled due to the ugly Covid monster, some activities are held within the guidelines.

Line Dancing:  A favorite of many!

I'm also told that a few avid Mahjong players are gathering in the Sonora room on Wednesdays and Fridays at 1:00.  

I've been complaining about the heat for the past six months but this morning we were dressed in long pants, shoes and socks, AND jackets!  It was only 47 degrees when we arose this morning and we reached a high of 64.  We went from summer to winter overnight!   Don't worry though:  This cold front will only last for two days and then we'll be back into the 80s.  Mother nature has gone beserk with her weather wand these days.  Folks up in northern states are shoving 8-10 inches of snow already.

RC Flyers & November Calendar

Here's a news release from the RC Flyers:

Big Changes for Casa Grande RC Flyer’s Winter Events

 

As the weather turns cooler, the Casa Grande RC Flyers winter major event season begins with some major changes due to the COVID-19 virus.  The club usually encourages and welcomes visitors from all over the valley to their events, however this winter, the airfield will be closed except to Academy of Model Aeronautics members.   There will not be food services at the club’s 2^nd Saturday events this season either.  Those and the other changes, such as controlling the number of members inside the field grounds, are following the recommendation of the city which are designed to keep the club’s membership and the public safe.  The club’s winter events usually draw hundreds of visitors for all over the valley.

Masks will be required of anyone on the airfield grounds and social distancing will be practiced, both at the flight tables and pilot stations.  The charities who usually stand at the entry gate collecting donations will not be allowed this year, however the club will be working to solicit donations and distribute them later in the year.  According to the club president, Alan Friedman, donations of three thousand dollars have already been received and earmarked for the “Valley Humane Society” and the “Pets in Need Action League”. 

Although the public cannot enter the field, they can view the flying while parked along the roadway or across the street in the public shooting range parking lot.  The first major event this winter will be a celebration of National Model Aviation Day on Saturday November 14, 2020 at the airfield located at 2725 S Isom Road in Casa Grande.  Other winter events were to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Casa Grande Valley, the Casa Grande Food Bank, and the Hospice Charitable Fund of Central Arizona.  Should safety concerns diminish, and less stringent field regulations be needed, the events may again be opened to the public and the charities again be collecting at the entry gate.

”Although this will be a challenging year, the club hopes to continue its eight-year tradition of providing interesting events for the public’s enjoyment and educational programs to area schools and 4-H clubs.  Unfortunately, everything is on hold until this virus in under control”, the club president stated in a press release.

The Casa Grande RC Flyers is one of the top Academy of Model Aeronautics’ award-winning clubs nationally and an Arizona non-profit corporation.  They promote the hobby of model aviation by offering free flying lessons to newcomers.  They raise money for local charities and offer many interesting events for the public’s enjoyment.  Details about all they do for the community and membership information can be found on the club’s web site: www.CasaGrandeRCFlyers.com

PHOTOS:  Flying Class On 10-15-20 and Flying Students, both show the club’s lead instructor, Maurie Sumption of Casa Grande, teaching new flyers, including several from Robson Ranch, how to fly.  Note all are using the required face masks.

Hurry to get your tickets for Octoberfest.

The November calendar is published.

Here's another outdoor event that provides social distancing.  

Covid can't get in the way of our desire to play a little poker.  We've set up some private tables at Poker Stars.  It allows us some get together time with definite safe distancing!  We also do the same for Mahjong.

With the Messenger app, we play, chat, and laugh.  Just like being in the same room although several are in different states and/or Canada.

Playing at home also allows me to keep an eye on the cats!

From today's Dispatch:

A monthly drought status summary posted by the Arizona Department of Water Resources earlier this month said that the summer’s record-setting high temperatures were combined with 50% less precipitation than average. Casa Grande and northern Pinal County are considered to be in an “exceptional drought” period. About 45% of the nation is in drought, the highest level in more than seven years.

“The monsoon season ended with the hottest and driest summer since 1896,” the summary said.

Flowers, AC Unit

It was exciting to see flowers being planted this morning!

They arrive by the truckload.

Then our landsccapers get to plant them all.  

We just happened to catch Scott and Gabby at the time.

The golf course is all seeded now.  

I still see our weed contractor out spraying.  It's a never ending job.

Front nine is starting to turn green.

Time to polish up the clubs.

The new model homes have been marked out just West of the current models. They’ll be located in the North end of Black Canyon Drive cornering with Cole on each side of the street. At least 6 lots have been marked so far.

Our neighbor had to get a new AC unit this summer.  Our HOT temps were just too much for it.  When houses are close together, it's not an easy chore to install a new unit.  A crane is necessary.

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It's fun to invent games for the cats.  It helps to keep them occupied so they don't explore through the cupboards or get into more mischief.  I put some treats inside a plastic container.

Texas Roadhouse + an old video

I received this email from the city planner's office!  Great news.  I hope they build it faster than the hotel on the corner.

A major site plan has been submitted for a Texas Roadhouse at the northeast corner of Florence Blvd and Henness Rd. It is currently under review. This application is tentatively scheduled for December 3 Planning Commission for its consideration for approval.

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The new model homes have been marked out just West of the current models. They’ll be located in the North end of Black Canyon Drive cornering with Cole on each side of the street. At least 6 lots have been marked so far.

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Don was cleaning up some old video files from his computer and came across this one from 30+ years ago.  It was definitely an historic moment from our lives.

Emergency Landing

Model Homes

I don't know who catered the sub lunch this week but it was a great bargain for only $5.  The sub was fully loaded and actually turned into a second meal as it was too big for one lunch.  It was accompanied with all the fixings, chips, a cookie, and a soda.  There was a handout sheet of cute trivia games to keep us occupied or you could take lunch home.

The Sauce Boss is a popular food truck I've seen around town on a number of occasions.  They will be catering our next meal for National Pasta Day on the 17th.  Ticket cut off is tomorrow Oct 15 so better hurry.

Grab your free tickets for the coffee & donuts on Monday the 19th while you're at it.

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The model homes on display at the far north end of the park are now for sale!  At least one is already sold.  That probably means we'll be getting in newer models soon.  Don't know where they'll be located though.

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Mouse loves to play games.  Looks like he'd make a good hockey player.

First Coffee of the Season & new website

We gathered for the first coffee of the season.  It is so good to get out among friends again.  Jerry Wellman and his dog Brutus reported on the event via WDOG radio.  So cute!  Thanks, Jerry.

Turn up your volume to hear Brutus talk.

(Thank you to Terri Wellman for the photos.)

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Sun has been working on a new website for Palm Creek.  I believe it is still a "work in progress" but you can check it out:  https://palmcreek.com/

You can find the current activities calendar, rules and regulations, site improvement info, golf, and new houses by clicking on the tabs.

Events, Taco Dinner, & Texas Roadhouse

The season begins.........slowly.........but it IS beginning.  We see RVs arriving daily and the power wash people are busy cleaning up houses for those returning.

The golf course is all seeded, sprinklers are running, and the lush green grass is beginning to poke through the ground.  The doves are having a feast!

Activities are starting.  I saw these announcements on Nextdoor this week.

Last night was the first ticketed event.  Delicious taco dinner catered by Taco Giro.  Meal included chips & salsa, 3 shredded beef street tacos with refried beans, rice, guacamole, and sour cream.  

Approximately 75 tickets were sold.  Most joined at a table and some folks just picked up their meal to take back home.  The big screen was broadcasting a football game for those who chose to watch.

Thank you to Marion Nelson and her team.

I heard a rumor that the Texas Roadhouse was going to build here in Casa Grande.  We've been hoping that was true so I finally wrote to the city planning office for verification.  Yes!  Here is their reply:

Thank you for contacting the City of Casa Grande.  Yes, Texas Roadhouse has been working with the City to bring their restaurant to Casa Grande.  They are still in the early stages of planning. 

 

Thank you and have a great day.

 

Linda Harris, Administrative Assistant

City of Casa Grande Planning Department