Event Announcements

 I haven't seen enough advertising recently so thought I'd post an announcement about a couple upcoming events.

The Palm Creek Pottery Club is going to hold their pre-Christmas sale this coming Sunday, December 1 from 1:00 till 5:00 in the Ballroom.  The club members have been working on projects all summer.  Come do some Christmas shopping for special hand-crafted gifts.  They have some surprises too!

The Palm Creek Chorus has been practicing for their annual Christmas concert.  These concerts are always entertaining and its fun to see neighbors and friends sharing their talent.  Get your ticket in Activities.  

The "giving tree" is already assembled and on display in the Activities office.  Each year we try to support the Pinal County Foster Children and make their Christmas a little brighter.  Pick a tag from the tree and either choose a gift for that child or donate.  Full procedures to follow are listed near the tree.

I just saw this ad on Nextdoor.  Looks like there will be more than just the pottery.  

By the way, we had two winners with G55 at bingo tonight!!

Another lucky winner got Bingo on the 57th number and took home over $400!  Join us every Monday night.  Tickets go on sale at 6:00 and games start at 7:00.

Readers say they enjoy cat pictures from around our house.  Here's Don hard at work trying to fix a computer for a friend.  Scooter is "helping" ???

Speaking of computers and helping friends, I am frequently asked if I will present some iPhone classes again this season.  The answer is YES.  I keep finding more new tips and tricks with these phones that I'd like to share.  Here's the class schedule so far:

Saturday, December 14, 9:30 a.m. in Sonora South

Saturday, December 21, 9:30 in Sonora South

The new IOS18 will soon be published and it is loaded with new opportunities.  I especially like the "fun" stuff we can add to email and text messages.  Even if you attended our beginner class last year, there will be new stuff to learn.  There are sign up sheets on the Activities board.  I ask for a $5 donation as the funds help support this blog.  Hope to see you there.

   A CAT STORY

 *HISTORY:  Don and I have two cats:  Kat is 6 years old, and Scooter is about 8 months.  

Scooter

Kat

We have an outdoor condo for our cats and they can enter the outdoor caged space from the living room window.  

Our cat condo

One evening in September, Scooter managed to climb the wall and knock out a tile from the condo to make a great escape.  

Of course, panic set in as soon as I discovered that he was gone.  Nightfall was approaching so I dutifully set out a couple dishes of good smelling cat food to help lure Scooter back home.  A while later, I looked out the window and saw that we had attracted four darling little hungry kittens devouring the food I had left out for Scooter.

 Oh no!  As a devoted cat lover, my heart broke to see these starving little adorable kittens at large.  They scattered and ran off into the night when I tried to approach them confirming that they were indeed feral cats. 

 Scooter did come home that night.  We heard him scratching at the window wanting to come in.

 The next morning there were four sets of pleading little eyes staring up at me when I stepped outside.  How could I resist.

I just looked at them and thought "now what??"  If no one does anything to help this little furry family, I knew they would soon grow up and have litters of their own.  We need and appreciate the feral cats in Palm Creek as they keep the rodent population in check but can also become overpopulated if not somehow controlled.  I recalled the charity dance held last season to raise money for spay/neutering the stray cats in the community so contacted Juliana Crispens who I hoped would have some guidance. 

 Juliana suggested I keep feeding the cats to keep them in the neighborhood.  In about a month they would be ready for her program.  Then she brought over four cages which we loaded with food every day until she arranged time to take them up to Mesa for the procedure.  We actually set the traps and within a few hours had all four cats trapped safely in the cages.

 Juliana drove them up to the clinic in Mesa on Monday morning and brought them home that night.  They received their operations, vaccines, and even rabies shots.  Two other dedicated volunteers  kept the cats overnight to make sure they were okay.  Then they brought them to our house for release.  All appeared happy and healthy to again enjoy their freedom.  They are now old enough to begin their vigilance at surveying the area for rodents and the myriad of insects they also devour.

The little white kitten (aptly named Casper) has become  Scooter's best friend.  They play together through the condo cage...even sharing toys that Scooter pushes through the grate.  They were so happy to be together again after the release.

 Some residents deny the need for feral cats because they haven’t seen any rats in the neighborhood.  They’re here though.  Through living here for 19+ years, we can attest to rodents becoming a problem.  With all the trash receptacles placed around the park and the fallen fruit from citrus trees, there is plenty of food left for scavenging rodents.  And sometimes they get into a house and make quite a mess.

 Feral cats are skilled hunters and typically eat small animals like mice, birds, and insects. Yes, they will eat crickets and scorpions.  They're opportunistic feeders, so they'll also scavenge for food in garbage bins or eat whatever they can find, including scraps and leftovers.  It’s fascinating how adaptable they are!  

Here is information provided by the AZ Vet Direct agency that assists with the program:

Our spay surgery cost estimate for a cat is: $110. Our neuter surgery is $85.  This cost is for anesthesia and surgery only.  The cost of pain medication to go home is $15-30.  You may choose an injection for pain control instead for $20.  E-collars are $15 and are optional for cats.  A rabies vaccine is required for all patients 12 weeks of age and older for $20.  

The cost of this program adds up in a hurry!  Juliana and a group of friends created a fund raising program last season by sponsoring a karaoke event and bake sale.  Plans are underway for more events this season.  Mark your calendar for January 18 from 1:00 - 5:00 at the north pavillion.  Details will be available soon.

Patio Sale Day!

Here is a link to the November Happenings originally posted by Dan Mayer.

November Happenings 

Saturday, November 16, is the first official patio sale of the season.  One gracious seller is offering special items at special prices....or free for a donation drawing.  Stop by site 1020 on Cole Circle.  Also, raising funds for the homeless feline trap-spay/neuter-vaccinate-foster/release here at PC. Four kittens need our help. Everyone giving cash gift gets to go in for the gift draws - good gifts!! Ask for Miriam.

SITE 1020

Miriam says she'll be ready at 9 am. Plan on coming on by, introduce yourself! She has a FUN “gift drawing” 🎁for anyone who buys something or puts $1 (💵or more) into a collection, to be given to the PC volunteer group who helps felines 🐈‍⬛🐈without homes, trap-spay/neuter-vaccinate-foster to home or release.

Another great place to explore and shop:

HUGE PATIO SALE: Friday the 15th 12PM to 4PM Saturday the 16th 8AM to 12PM At Site #612 Cole Circle/Parlo Verde in the non-pet area. Golf club sets-bags-many golf balls, golf cart, drill, small kitchen appliances, dishes, wading boots, seated walker, TV, bedspread, A block long of tables filled with goodies. Come and check it out Sponsored by Kathy Payne

Craft Fair and Getaway Menu

 Looks like we had a great crowd to visit the first Market Place craft fair of the season.  Such talented artisans!  It was pleasing to see a good number of Palm Creekers displaying their talents.

Georgi Davis has been busy creating all these lovely bags of assorted sizes.  Very colorful selection!

I only see Joy at the card tables so had no idea she was into this diamond art!  So many pretty items!

Jim and Linda Rainer were present with their CBD products and fresh honey products.  (That CBD rub soothed my sore knee muscles and got me back to sleep last night.)  I'm a loyal customer. 😉

Cindy Graff (and sister Sherri) were presenting Cindy's glassware.  Beautiful pieces!

Carol Tasler had her jewelry collection for sale plus she was advertising for the upcoming Chorus Concert.

Dee had her jewelry on sale!

There were two special new booths I discovered.  YUM!

They made all these fresh cookies and breads for the show.  Their new specialty was the Carrot Cake cookies.  OMG.  😜  Sooooo good!

Here's a real novelty!  These gents had flavored licorice for sale.  So fun to try all the different flavors.

Meanwhile, out at the sports area, the Getaway Cafe has opened for the season.  Thought I'd post their times and menu for you.

Don't forget to visit the Bistro for breakfast or lunch!

Bistro Report

 LOL....our son (Anton and Hannah) moved to Colorado Springs recently.  Anton says the snow machine is broken as it won't shut off.  The neighborhood squirrel usually approaches their feeder along a fence line but now it has to act as its own snow plow!  They sent this cute video:

BISTRO:  I haven't seen any recent postings from the Bistro but business seems to be booming.  All reports are boasting of the GREAT food.

The Wednesday karaoke events have been very successful and well attended.

BINGO Opens for the Season

 The park is really bustling with activity.  Tonight was the first Bingo night of the season and we had a record crowd for the first day in November.  There were 165 players in attendance so extra tables and chairs were set up.

G55 is still an important number.

We had some very lucky winners too!  Judy Texley won game 6 jackpot at $231.

Game 12 is a special blackout game.  To win the big jackpot, the player must win within 55 numbers.  Lucky Harold Liby won on the 55th number and took home $708.  Congratulations Harold!!

Be sure to put Bingo on your calendar.  Monday nights.  Tickets go on sale at 6:00.  Games start at 7:00.  It takes a minimum of only $7 to play.  Feel free to bring snacks and your own non-alcoholic drink.  The Bistro is open until 7:00 so you can take time to stock up.  They might be selling popcorn and snacks in the next couple weeks once the season gets established.