Early February Events

 Congratulations to Barbie Patrick!  She won $724 by completing the black out card with only 55 numbers at Bingo last night.  We had an excellent crowd with over 250 players making every game payout at $100.  It was a good night!

There are quite a few fun events coming in early February.  The newsletter may not be available in time so be sure to keep checking in at the new website sponsored by Dan Mayer and the Computer Club:

www.palmcreekinfo.com

I will be conducting at least two more iPhone classes.  Saturday morning February 8 and 15 in the SanTan Room at 9:30.

You'll find info there about:

Pop-Up Dance by Siera Sound -- February 2

Newmar monthly Social-- February 3

Colorado Potluck on February 4

Sewing Guild Fabric Sale February 4

A bus trip to Silver Star Theater February 7

Dan also posts the Bistro Specials for the week.

If you weren't at the ballfield on Sunday, you missed some FUN softball games between our local Palm Creek teams and the Firefighters. 

Softball photos are compliments of Jerry Moy

It's hard to identify faces with the sunglasses and ballcaps, but right in the midst of things is our General Manager, Gabby Gonzales.

And I spotted Debbie...our Facilities Manager!

Congrats to the whole team.

All softball photos are compliments of Jerry Moy

Our weather was awesome today so I enjoyed a nice long walk.  One of my favorite resting spots is the bench at the end of the 18th hole.

There are MANY ducks around but this drake was perfectly resting in a nice sunny spot.

I wish there were more benches along the route...especially near the north end of the main lake where we could watch the ducks and water fountains.

Of course, Scooter likes his photo taken too.

He loves to climb into any kind of bag or box.

I'm happy to report that our little white feral cat named "Casper" now returns occasionally to say hello.  I have no idea where she spends her days and nights.  We've tried to coax her inside to no avail.  

I was asked to please post info about the upcoming Washington State Party.  We know there are a lot of Washington residents in the park so want to be sure to reach them about the party.

My blog is more of a human interest story about events around the park.  If you want to get the real scoop on what is happening, be sure to visit Dan Mayer's website at

www.PalmCreekInfo.com

Firemen vs Palm Creek Softball

Come support the Fire Fighters vs Palm Creek softball.  

Sunday, January 26

The kitchen window will now be open on Monday nights to serve the Bingo players.  Snacks are limited but stop by and get supplied.

Kathy will be happy to serve you.

Computer Club is growing thanks to good info from President, Dan Mayer.  We meet on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 in the SanTan Room.

Be sure to check the site:  PalmCreekInfo.com

ALL Palm Creek news is available there.

This week we discussed using phone apps:  pros and cons.

Great way to protect your purchases.

From community local news:

Which Big Lots in Arizona are closing?

The list of Big Lots to be sold includes all eight of the remaining Big Lots in Arizona. One, the Phoenix location, had previously announced it would close.

• Bullhead City : 2350 Miracle Mile
• Casa Grande: 1346 E. Florence Blvd.
• Glendale: 6660 W. Cactus Road
• Kingman : 3320 N. Stockton Hills Road
• Phoenix: 3543 West Thunderbird Road
• Show Low: 4421 S. White Mountain Road
• Sierra Vista : 135 S. Highway 92
• Yuma: 1625 S. Fourth Ave.

Have you seen this little feral cat??  She used to come visit us every day to play with Scooter.  Haven't seen her all week and am concerned. (We call her Casper).  

She is one of the treated cats from our TNR program as evidenced by the clipped ear on her left side.

More About Cats

 The TNR Fundraiser was a lovely success!  Over $4100 was raised so the team will definitely be out tracking any newborn kittens that are encountered.  After a cat has been through the process, the vet will clip the tip of the left ear so the cat can be recognized.

There are residents who do not like any feral animals in their yard.  If this is the case:

Remove Shelter: Cats seek out places to hide and rest. Trim bushes, close off spaces under decks or sheds, and remove any piles of debris.   

Rough Surfaces: Cats dislike walking on rough surfaces. Consider using pine cones, pebbles, or plastic sheeting with nubs in areas they frequent.

Citrus Scents: Cats dislike citrus smells. Place orange or lemon peels around your yard or use citrus-scented sprays. 

Plant Cat-Repelling Plants: Some plants like Coleus canina (commonly called "Scaredy Cat" plant), rue, lavender, and rosemary are known to deter cats.

Feral cats can minimize rodent problems and are a “green” alternative to pest control. Feral cats keep their populations in check and discourage new rodents from moving into the area.  
An established, vaccinated, and sterilized colony of feral cats will deter other stray and feral cats from moving into the area. This actually decreases the chances that people will encounter an unvaccinated cat, and will virtually eliminate problem behaviors like fighting, yowling, spraying and roaming.

Of the four kittens that were trapped at our site, only one keeps returning. Casper is Scooter's girlfriend as she keeps coming to visit. They play together through the outdoor condo we have and Casper comes to the window to say hello. She won't come in the house and she won't let us touch or pet her, but she is certainly adorable.

We spotted a coyote on the golf course today!  Lots of folks are surprised at first glance till they realize it is a decoy.  Do you think it will scare away the ducks??

Every year the Casa Grande Library holds it's annual Book Sale.  Mark your calendar.

Don't forget the Palm Creek Community Chapel held every Sunday in the Ballroom at 9:00 a.m.  Non-Denominational.  Everyone is welcome!

TNR Fundraiser

On behalf of the TNR Fundraising committee, we wish to thank EVERYONE who donated items for the raffle and the baked goods.  WOW.....that bake sale was a tremendous success as we sold out of everything!  Lots of raffle tickets were sold and the bidding jars were stuffed with hopeful winning tickets.

Thank you also for those who attended and donated to the cat fund.  It was a pleasure to work with this group and visit with all who attended.  

Thank you also goes to DJ Dusty who provided music, entertainment, and dancing opportunities.  Folks had fun while shopping.

The weather started to chill, the baked goods were all gone, and attendance dwindled toward late afternoon so we packed up about an hour early knowing there was still lots of work ahead as we drew the winning raffle tickets and cleaned up.

We dumped each jar of tickets into a basket and shuffled them up.

Karen them reached inside to pick the winner for each basket.  Winners were called and prizes were delivered.  

Congratulations to the hard working committee and all the attendees for a successful event.

For questions or information regarding the Trap, Neuter, Release program, you can contact Juliana Crispens.

Did you know:  A cat can potentially have 3-5 litters in a year.  The average litter size is 3-4 kittens, but can range from 1 to 12.  Support the TNR program.  We need our "working cats" to keep rodent population in check.  

 

TNR Fundraiser + Video News

 The behind the scenes work continues as we prepare for the upcoming TNR Fundraiser scheduled for this Saturday, January 18.  The event runs from 1:00 to 5:00 at the North Pavilion.  Come enjoy music provided by D.J. Dusty from 2-5 while you browse for awesome raffle prizes or purchase goodies from the bake sale.

We've received some lovely donated items for the raffle.  Several quilts, pottery and glass pieces, a wooden bowl, items from the golf shop, gift certificates from area restaurants and businesses, jewelry items from silver smithing, baskets of cat and dog items, plus other miscellaneous goodies.

We appreciate the hunting skills of our "working cats" that reside at Palm Creek.  With our dumpster areas, fallen fruit, fresh water, green grass, etc. our working cats keep the vermin and unwanted guests at bay.  Without their help, mice and desert rats could become a problem.  Our cats even contribute to trimming the dove abundance.  Through this TNR program, we can keep the cat headcount under control and assure they are healthy.

While surfing on YouTube today, I stumbled across a couple videos you may find of interest.  The first is an ad from Sun Communities:

Palm Creek Ad

This second video was made by a guest who stayed here for the first time.  It's fun to see and share their impression of the resort.

RV Review by Andy

I managed to find time from a busy social calendar to get out to the softball field and enjoy watching our woman's softball team play in the tournaments.  Congratulations to all.  

I held round #3 of our iPhone classes this week.  

This Wednesday I'll be presenting more at the Computer Club meeting.  I'm going to visit more about the iPad as well.  9:30 in the SanTan room.  Come join us.  

.....and there's always room for Scooter.

He can still make it under the door!