Computer Classes & Mountain Laurel

By popular request, we'll be repeating our Windows 8 seminar again.  Some who attended want to retake the class to reinforce their memory and practice what they learned.  Others were sorry to miss the first class so asked to hold it again.  Whatever the story....this is your chance.  If you plan to buy a new computer soon, you'll be glad you came to this class so you're prepared for the new screens you'll encounter.

Welcome to Windows 8

Wednesday, March 27, 9:30-11:30

SanTan Room  ($10)

Bring your computer and power cord. 



We'll also hold another Picasa Workshop for those who want to refresh their skills and learn some new editing tricks for your favorite photos.  This will be a great time to ask questions and practice so be sure to bring your computer, power cord, and YOUR PHOTOS.

Picasa Workshop

Thursday, April 4, 9:30-11:30

Ocotillo Room ($10)

You can sign up in the Activities Office on the Computer Classes clipboard for either class....OR....just email me at sue77hepler@hotmail.com

I'm also conducting some private one-on-one classes for folks who have specific questions about some other programs.  

AND....remember these important words.....

Paperlesss Society

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I received an email from Peg Keenan at Site 438 alerting me that her Mountain Laurel tree/bush is in full bloom again so I hurried over for more photos.  If I ever plant another bush, it will definitely be one of these as the flowers are beautiful and it smells absolutely wonderful.  Check it out the next time you drive past.

The bush can be kept trimmed, as Keenans have done, or it can grow to 30 feet high. It is very tolerant in the hot, dry climate, and needs no special care. The names are "Mescal Bean" "Frijolito", or Texas Mountain Laurel.

The pods contain a red "bead" which is poisonous, but can be used in bead making or other craft projects.  I brought some pods home to investigate.

Thank you, Peg, for showing us this beauty.

  

Wednesday night Tournament of Champions

We don't need Vegas or Reno to find a good poker tournament as we have plenty of excitement right here at Palm Creek. The Texas Hold'em Wednesday Tournament of Champions was held last night and here are your winners!

Here is Elaine Moore passing the first place trophy over to the new reigning champ....Dave Hardy.  Congratulations Dave!!!

Runner up champion is Karen Rust.  Way to go Karen!!  

(You've also seen Karen's photo at the dog agility classes she teaches here.)

The winner of this tournament wears a target for next season.  If you are able to put him out in next year's tournament, you win an extra bonus award!

To qualify for this tournament, you must have come in first place in one of the normal Wednesday night games during the season.  The poker games have certainly become popular here as every available chair and table was used at last night's event.  As they said in the Jaws movie...."I think we need a bigger room."

Dennis Merasty also received a friendly award as the person who went out on the bubble most times during the season.  Going out on the bubble is sorta sad but Dennis will have fun telling the story anyway.

P.S.  A special thank you to all the people who volunteer as dealers and directors of the games!  

You do an awesome job.

*Photos by Tom Moore

Charity Events

A couple friends asked me to advertise their upcoming charity events:

Everyone is welcome to attend our live auction at 1:00 Saturday and Chinese raffle following the live auction on the patio behind the golf shop.

Fine Arts Show

I keep saying it over and over again.....we have so many talented residents here in our resort.  The Fine Arts Show is another example.
 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to all the artists who were on display today.

Another Winter Storm

Another winter storm descends upon Arizona and the southwestern states.  It was too windy, cold, and wet to spend time outdoors.  Luckily, we had beautiful weather earlier this week for the big pickleball tournaments.

We even had a stream of little hail stones racing down the street.

It might have been cold and windy outside, but we were very comfortable and busy indoors at a Windows 8 seminar.  It is quite a surprise to open a new computer and see the greatly different start screens with Windows 8.  Interested in holding another class before you depart for the season??  Send us an email.  

We had Mike Salter as our guest speaker for the subject.  Thank you, Mike.

The Palm Creek Chorus held their performances on Wednesday and Thursday this past week.  They have worked very very hard and their practice has paid off.  Congratulations on a great job!

Big Bad John was there.   (Jack Rathert)

Larry Voorhees sang an Elvis favorite....."In the Getto".  Very nicely done!

We could tell that the group was having a good time!

They sang with lively enthusiasm!  :)

Let the Games begin!!

Tuesday was Day One of the huge pickleball tournament.  What an exciting day to see our new courts at their best.  Congratulations to the entire cast and crew who organized this event as I'm sure it took many many hours of strategic planning, organizing, staffing, and set up.

There were even small warm up areas set aside for players.

 
Look at the bicycles!!!  Who ever said seniors would be so active.

 
Our courts look absolutely beautiful.  I'm sure the crowds had to be impressed!

 
I took photos of the vendor booths as well...some because they're so colorful but also so you could copy down the website addresses for future purchases.

 
Many volunteers in motion.

 

 

 
I stood in front of this sign for quite a while just to take in the scene.  Maybe it means so much to me because I was there every day during the construction but I felt immense pride for our park and the construction of this sports area.  I can only imagine how proud the construction crew would be if they could witness the activity here today.  Congratulations AGAIN to cast and crew who made this happen....and that especially goes to Ashton, Wendell, Jim Dawson, and the pickleball committee members who helped with design and planning.  I'm no longer able to play the game, but I love to watch and I spend quite a bit of time at the courts to observe.

 
This photo cost me money as I got talked into buying raffle tickets.  :)  

 
Someone has to feed all these people too....and there's Linda Balzan at far left checking to make sure all goes well.  I bet Linda and crew put in some long hours these next few days.

 
Someone had to set up the whole computer system for scheduling.  There was a nice big monitor to display who was on which court.  (lots of glare on the screen for a photo).
Speaking of computers:  Tune in to the pickleball blog for the latest and greatest information about the tournament.  Knowing how hard Rosemary Reese works at that blog, I'm sure she'll be posting long and hard to announce progress and winners.
Pickleball Blog

 
Print outs were on display to show the upcoming schedules.

 

See you at the courts!!  Come on out to watch the action and share in the excitement.
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Just a reminder that we're having a Windows 8 seminar this Friday morning at 9:00 in the SanTan Room.  Mike Salter will be presenting the latest and greatest about this new operating system.  I'm sorry that it competes with the pickleball.  There is still time to sign up in Activities. 

Car Show

 What a busy weekend for Casa Grande!  Aviation enthusiasts attended the Cactus Fly-In and demonstrations at the local airport.  Palm Creek held its annual car show. The city held its annual championship chili cook off contest at the city park.  The weather cooperated beautifully as we had a lovely warm sunshiny day.  

I thought this was the most unique car at our show.  Note the skeleton on the front seat.

 
A sign on his neck identified the skeleton as the original owner.  :)

 
This was by FAR the noisiest car at the show.  Good grief!  I'm glad he's not my neighbor.  That machine is
LOUD!!!!!!!!!!! 
 

Motorcycles are awesome machines as well and there were quite a few present at the show.  They're fancy machines but must be a labor of love to keep them so clean and shiny!

 

 
On a quieter note....I spent a lovely afternoon yesterday with some wonderful friends who took time to help me learn to play Omaha.  Maybe they'll make a poker player out of me yet.  Thank you, Nancy Polley for a great afternoon of friendship and fun.  This will be one of my fond memories.

I played in the Sunday night tournament and lasted until the final two tables.  Not bad for a timid rookie.

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Here's a quick video for you golfers out there.

Our Talented Residents

The weatherman cooperated beautifully to provide a GREAT day for the Palm Creek artists, crafters, photographers, and woodworkers shows.  We have some amazingly talented and gifted residents who finally got this opportunity to show off their works.

First....the photographers.  I couldn't get all the names and correct spellings so I just took more photos.  There was always a crowd in front of each booth so I couldn't get shots of all the displays.  Forgive me for the ones I missed.

I keep saying that I want to get better acquainted with Photoshop Elements so I can do creative things with photos like these cards.  Such lovely work from photographs.

Then across the street in the ballroom were the artists and craftsmen showing some of their masterpieces.

I must give Lu some special credit since I purchased one of her Pueblo houses a couple years ago.  I have to  keep control of my pocketbook when I pass her booth at the craft fairs and limit myself to just one item each month.  She keeps coming up with new creations all the time!  Her work is beautiful and so intricate.  Each piece is from her pottery and then hand painted.  No two pieces are alike.

It's hard to believe you can turn a chunk of rock into such a beautiful piece of jewelry.

I wish I had taken a close up of the two Pegs & Jokers boards at this display.  They were awesome!!!  Both were sold as I walked past.

Just as we were treated to live music at the quilt show, we enjoyed more today as we toured the booths.  Thank you for sharing your talent.

Outdoors by the pool area, we were amazed at the creative talents displayed by the wood shop residents. 

John Ross wasn't at the table while I was there.  It looks like he has another hobby to consume his time when he isn't flying his hot air balloon.

Had to get a close up of Arden's wood chip hat.

It was also amazing to talk with the folks and hear that many of them had never started their hobby until they came to Palm Creek.  We're fortunate to stay in such a lovely resort where the work space and resources are available.

Thank you to everyone who participated today!  You are awesome!!