Chili Cookoff + Health Expo

Casa Grande held the State Chili Cookoff event here yesterday plus the ballroom was rented out for a Medical, Health & Wellness Expo.  Busy day.

Some of the contestants traveled far and wide to enter the competition.

These contestants are dedicated participants.

There was a volunteer panel of judges from Palm Creek that met and did a very organized and formal taste test of all contestants.   I would think they would all taste the same after a while but the judges had items to cleanse their pallet between samples.

The event was open to the public so we bought wristbands which allowed us to walk from booth to booth and sample each chili.  There were over 20 to sample!!  I made it about half way and had to quit.  At 105 degree weather, that's all the chili I could handle.  It was certainly fun to walk around and visit with the contestants though.

It was a lot cooler inside the ballroom for the Health Expo:

There were booths from doctor offices, dentists, chiropractors, solar panels, realty offices, fitness centers, and other types of clinics in the Casa Grande area.

These two physically fit young men certainly made good billboards for Planet Fitness!

There is a HUGE health complex being built on Cottonwood right next to Villas by Mary T.  Mary T will also be building more condos behind that facility when it is finished.

Diane Gaines was there to support the Cancer center.  She and her group of volunteers prepare and serve over 100 meals per month for cancer patients who come to the center.

The chili tasting started at 2:00 in the afternoon and so did this BRIEF thunderstorm.  It rained hard for about 8 minutes and then cleared to blue skis immediately afterward.  I'm sure the storm plus 100+ heat kept the event attendance pretty low but those of us who were there had a good time.

New houses + Bingo

Phase 3 isn't the only place where new houses are arriving.  Here come two more on the south end on Cole Circle.

We see digging and activity all around the resort as maintenance continues to repair and upgrade the maze of underground irrigation lines.  It is no easy task to dig a hole like this!!!

Hi to good friend, Lillie Corbitt on her way to work.   

We have a welcomed relief to the heat wave!  The hundreds aren't a problem for us but when it goes over 110............that's HOT.  See those nice evening 70s temps?  That makes for a lovely morning when we're all outside for activities.

The girls stopped in at Firehouse Subs for dinner last night.

It's the first time I was ever inside their building.  It's really decorated nicely!  Part of their funds go to support our local fire department.

This was our first visit but definitely won't be the last.  Looks like we'll be able to pull some tables together for the "gang" when we dine out.......and the sandwiches were delicious!  

I particularly liked this mural painted up on the wall showing our city hall.

We vote "YES" for this place.

Diane Reese, Candy Konz, Nancy Flader

After dinner came bingo at the American Legion.  Candy won two games in a row!  Diane bingoed on the final blackout game but had to share with two other winners.  I won a special game too.  Sorry Nancy..........but she won two games the last time she came with me.  We had a FUN evening!

Upcoming Omelet Breakfast

Special message to those of us that are still here!!  Hurry up to the front desk and purchase tickets for the omelet breakfast coming Thursday, June 16, at 8:00 a.m.  We really enjoyed this event last year and the food was delicious.  

Photo from June 2015

It's only 111 as I sit here this afternoon at the keyboard so our nasty heat wave may be on the wane.  We had a little social time while out on rounds this morning.  It looks like a drag race!

Good Morning to Lynne Rogers as she escorts her pups to the dog run.

Charlie Bear loves his cart rides.

Larry Smith was on his way to meet friends for a cruise.

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We can always use a little more cold air.  This just might work.

We're having a heat wave.

I guess the biggest news from here is our sudden burst of HEAT.  The month of June has come roaring in with record high temperatures for this early in summer.

The sad news is that when its this hot, it doesn't cool down at night so we don't get the relief after the sun goes down.

It's a big challenge for our air conditioning but we stay very comfortable indoors.

Folks walk their dogs in the very early morning or just cart them over to the grassy dog runs during these heat waves.  No one dares walk barefoot.  Ouch!

The sky even looks hot at sunset as this hummer comes in for a cool evening drink.

Photo from Avis Gray

The posts have been installed for nets over by the softball field.

Our palm trees are looking pretty shaggy by summer.  The landscape crew is working diligently to trim each and every one of the 2000+ trees in the park.  

Our pottery fans are staying busy creating masterpieces.  Julie learning the wheel, Jane learning hand building and Betty showing off another project.

Photo from Suzette Taylor

We stay nice and cool indoors and take opportunities to celebrate.  It was Diane's birthday so we had yummy cake at the card table.

 Today we decided to go to Olive Garden for their $5.99 all you can eat soup and salad luncheon special.  Any excuse to dine out is acceptable.

Tonight was Pasta Tuesday at Bostons.  Don and I weren't the only "creekers" taking advantage of the event.

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Welcome to the Thirsty Donkey!

Exciting news for all of us!  A new restaurant/sportsbar is opening on Florence Boulevard where "The Place" and "The Gym" used to reside.  This one is called the "Thirsty Donkey" and plans to open by the first week of July.  

We saw activity there today so Don and I stopped in to say hello.  It was good timing as we got to meet the new owners:  Justin and Wensda Serfass.  (Yes, I spelled her name correctly.)  

Justin and Wensda Serfass

The Thirsty Donkey is appropriately named as a "tap house and sports grill".  A very special feature will be the self-serve beer taps with over 40 brands of craft and specialty beers.  Self-Serve???  Yes. 

 When you check in, you receive a wristband and then tap the sign by the beer you wish to try.  The band measures exactly how much is poured so you can just take small samples to try several brands.

Here is a link to a video that will demonstrate how the system works:

Self-Serve Bar

I believe Justin said there are only six bars across the country that are currently using the system and he hopes to be the first in this area.

The specialty for the restaurant will be Philly Cheese Steaks like those served back East where Justin originates.  They will also be making their own fresh bread daily making their sandwiches extra special.  

Here is a sample DRAFT of their menu (subject to change).

Justin and Wensda also keep a Facebook page where you can oversee their remodeling.

Thirsty Donkey Facebook Page

With a weather forecast like we face this week, we'll be ready for a place that supplies a nice cold beer and serves our dinner so we don't have to heat up our kitchen and cook at home.

The whole state is in for some summer heat.

Whoops.......I've never seen a typo on a weather map before.  Check out the forecast temp for Casa Grande.  Ouch!