iPhone and iPad Classes + More

 Over the summer, I held a couple of classes on iPads and iPhones.  They were fun groups explaining some of the tips, tricks and ways an iPhone can make life easier...and more fun.

Since then, I have been approached almost daily by people who missed the classes or want them repeated.  Sooo....starting with Saturday, December 10, I'll conduct a few more class sessions.

If you have an iPhone or are thinking about getting one, you should come.  I promise you will be amazed at some of the things it can do for you.

I'll put up signup sheets in Activities, so I know how many people to expect.

I feel really weird about charging my friends and neighbors.  There will be a jar for donations but please do not feel pressured to support my Bingo habit.  😉 I love teaching and interacting with friends or people who will become friends.

WHEN?  

Class 1:  Saturday, December 10, 9:30 in SanTan

Class 2:  Saturday, December 17, 9:30 SanTan

We can schedule more if requested.

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Ready for some great Christmas Music, a bit of comedy, and even a visit from the Big Guy in the Red Suit, himself? Then you won't want to miss the Palm Creek Singers' Christmas Show December 8, 7:00 p.m. in the Palm Creek Ballroom!

Tickets are $10.00 and will be on sale in the Activities Office starting Wednesday, November 30 through Thursday morning, Dec 8. Net proceeds will be donated to a local Casa Grande charity. Thank you for your support!

Patio Sales New Businesses, Agave Plants

We had our first patio sale of the season this past weekend.  We were amazed to see that there were 78 sales scheduled on the map. It was FUN to ride around and see all the goodies for sale and chat with folks we haven't seen for a while.  

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 Good news for Casa Grande! I confirmed with the Planning Office that Barro's Pizza has indeed applied to open another location in the old Mimi's building. AND....Home Goods has applied to open in the old Bed Bath & Beyond location. Yahoo!!  It's good to see the Promenade area come to life again.

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Uh Oh..........did you return to find your pretty agave plants looking like this?  Dying if not already dead.  Blame the agave snout-nosed weevil!!  The little devils are traveling throughout the park so better take action now to save your plants.

I copied some information for you.

MEET THE WEEVIL

Agave snout-nose weevil

The agave snout-nosed weevil is a half-inch-long black beetle with a downward-curving proboscis that enables it to pierce an agave’s core, where it lays its eggs. Grubs hatch, consume the agave’s heart, then burrow into the soil to pupate.

The weevil (Scyphophorus acupunctatus)---once prevalent only in desert regions and Mexico---is spreading rapidly throughout the US and abroad, earning it the dubious distinction of being one of the "Top 100 Worst Global Invasive Species."

Also at risk are Agave relatives such as Beaucarnea, Yucca, Mangave and Furcraea. 

An upright center cone and drooping outer leaves are a sign of snout weevil. Such plants, lacking roots, will rock or fall over when pushed.

HOW TO TREAT YOUR AGAVES

The goal is to drench the agave's roots. Do this in spring and fall:

1. The day before, soak (hose-water) the soil at the base of each agave to aid penetration.
2. Follow label directions. Wear gloves and protect your skin and eyes.
3. To mix the solution, I use a hose, a 3-to-5 gallon bucket, and a stick for stirring. If the label doesn't say how much concentrate per gallon of water for agaves, go with the ratio for shrubs.

How much? If using Compare-N-Save Systemic Tree and Shrub Insect Drench or BioAdvanced Systemic Plant Fertilizer and Insecticide: 3 oz. per foot of plant height per gallon of water.

4. Slosh the solution where lowest leaves meet the core to effectively drench the soil at the base of the plant.

5. Water the agave again in 3-4 days to ensure good soil saturation.

6. Apply in spring, repeat in 3-4 weeks, and treat once again in fall. 

Temperatures above 80F may diminish the insecticide's effectiveness, and it may possibly harm plants already stressed by heat.

IS YOUR AGAVE INFESTED?

Look for damaged tissue where leaves meet stem. The lowest leaves will appear wilted, and may slope unnaturally downward while the center cone remains upright. The plant, no longer anchored by roots, will rock when pushed.

When an infestation is well underway, it's possible to shove the agave over onto its side. It'll break at soil level, revealing a mushy, foul-smelling core infested by plump, squirming, half-inch, cream-colored grubs with brown heads.

Above: an agave's grub-eaten core resembles a sponge. Watch my Instagram video of a grub-infested agave. 

Above: Close-up of a snout-nose grub.

Bingo and Softball +

 Monday night bingo has begun!  We had a good crowd for the first night! 

 Lucky Jeanne Kinsvater won the Star Burst game for a whopping $762.  Congratulations, Jeanne!!  A great way to start the season.

Barb Nelson handing Jeanne her check.

We also celebrated the opening of the Getaway Cafe over by the softball field.  I like the tables and umbrellas so we have a comfy place to wait for our food order.  Nice idea!

The crowd was taking advantage of the nice new sun sails.

Games are played every Tuesday and Thursday.  Come on down, cheer for the teams, and enjoy a delicious burger.

The batting cage has had some renovation and even some bleacher seats were added for spectators.

Installation of solar panels continues.

My cats (Kat and Mouse) are very friendly and seem to attract feline visitors.  This darling little black and white kitten was coming to visit each night.  He would climb up on the chair and be face to face with Kat through the window.  They didn't howl or hiss but just chattered back and forth.  It was SOOO cute!  He disappeared a few days ago so I'm going to hope that he found a good home somewhere.  He could have been called a "peeping Tom".  

Welcome back, slow down, enjoy

Welcome back to all the snowbirds who have arrived to enjoy our sunshine!  The park really looks different as of November 1 when the steady stream of RVs arrive.  It's heartwarming to see all the "welcome back" greetings as friends return from their home state.  Power washers, landscaping crews, and cleaning crews are in big demand as each site spruces up for the season.

Some of our returning guests made it here just in time to avoid the winter snow back home.  Dennis and Loretta Bouchard were really glad to be here when they received news from back home in Alberta.  Brrrr.....

We're especially happy to have the Bistro open once again as it is a great place to gather and catch up on the news from returning friends.  

Enjoy the new menu:

The huge solar panel project is well underway.  We must contend with the noise and extra construction traffic but the end result should be worth it with the additional covered parking when it is all completed.

Along with the happy returns, we also see increased traffic on our roads within the park.  I've been hearing complaints about "speeders" who ignore our 10 mph speed limit.  Please be courteous and slow down due to increased cart, bike, and pedestrian traffic.  

Clubs and activities are gearing up for the fun season ahead.  Betty Preston is anxious to get the chorus ready to entertain.

Be sure to check out the November newsletter.  It has a very nice array of photos and names of our hard working staff members.

Link:  Palm Creek Newsletter

This season we have the ability to announce information about the clubs and activities we enjoy.  Get the information printed in the Happenings newsletter by contacting Taylor Nakakihara, Marketing Coordinator, at tnakakihara@suncommunities.com or drop the info in her inbox at her office near the Bistro.