New Emergency Message Service

The age of technology is here to help us communicate.  We've always wished for a faster way to communicate an emergency situation here in the park like:  Water being shut off, electrical outage, major internet shut down, etc.   AND with the golf course believe it or not, there may be frost delays or water problems to report.

Now we have a way to receive those emergency messages on our cell phones.  I found this poster on the front desk this morning.  One side is for the park in general:

and the other is for the golf course:

First question:  How do I do this on my phone?

Go to your text message app on your phone and enter 22452 as the recipient number to call.

In the "message" box, type PALM

Then send the text.

You will soon receive a text like this:

 It will also say "rates may apply.  Reply stop2end, or help4help

Since we don't anticipate there being many of these texts during a year, I'm sure the message rate won't be significant.

Follow this same procedure again by texting to the same number 22452 but this time type GOLF in the message box.  You will then receive a similar text saying you are linked.  

The message you receive from the Pro Shop will read:

"Thanks for joining PALM CREEK PRO SHOP!  Stay tuned for instant news and events from our Pro Shop!  Book a tee time here:  http://su1.co/nw1HSp Up to 4

*************

I tried both this morning and it worked perfectly on the first try.  Congratulations to our IT department for stepping into the modern age of communication.

ALERTS

 Palm Creek has a text alert program they can send out for major announcements.  All residents should connect to get the information.

This is especially important for  Frost Warnings for the golf course and grass areas.

Instructions:  Text GREEN to 22452 and opt in to get the alerts

Text PALM to 22452 to receive alerts about safety or water shut off.

This is a great way to send out an immediate announcement.....but sadly it doesn't connect to any international or Canadian lines.  

Another Wednesday

For me...Wednesday starts with a 9:30 a.m. computer club meeting.  This morning, President Mike Salter talked about Microsoft Office and gave a brief summary of each of the programs including Word, Excel, and Outlook.  Next Wednesday he plans to introduce Publisher.

Next usually comes lunch on the patio each Wednesday.  It's such a nice way to enjoy a good lunch with friends.  I often go alone and enjoy siting with new people to meet.

Dolores Forbis and Larry Marik were there to entertain us with their musical talent.

Today's special was taco salad.  Yum!  Love those new crispy salad bowls.

The Adobe room gets active every afternoon with assorted card games.

Bev and Jane said they liked to see jokes here on the blog so I'll try to accommodate them today.

*********************************

Here's MY favorite:

Pickleball Addicts

OMG!  Larry Barnhart sent this photo we thought worth sharing.  That's definitely dedication to their sport.

Photo was taken December 2016 in Wenatchee Washington.

__________________

Let's take a quick walk down the corridor in the Admin building.  

The front desk is constantly busy with registering guests:

Across the hall is the billiards room.

Then comes the busy library:

The mail room is bustling with newcomers checking in and others picking up packages.

Last stop down the hallway is the silversmithing lab.  Lots of activity there too.

In other words, the whole joint is jumping.

It's time for some peace and quiet while we enjoy the sunshine.  How about a game of Mahjong out on the patio?  

______________________

Received a cute email from a Canadian friend.

Kitchen, Bistro, text alerts, and more heat

Our October meal events are being catered by outside sources.  The question was asked:  "Will the kitchen, bistro, and sports grill open this season?"  Here's the answer straight from Marion Nelson:

"As of now, we have not received Sun Communities approval to re-open the Kitchen or Bistro, but it could happen any day.  However, our earliest planned opening for both was at the end of October, so that's when our team members were tentatively scheduled to return to work.  In the meantime, Sun is developing their own specific requirements and procedures for food operations to meet or exceed COVID guidelines.  I am optimistic that we will be able to open again, but it wouldn't be any sooner than the end of October anyway.  Regarding the Sports Grill, we do not expect it will have enough business to make it feasible, so we will not open right away.  However, I do want to emphasize that we will continually monitor feedback and usage, and make adjustments wherever or whenever warranted.  The key to our success will be patience, understanding, and flexibility on everyone's part."

*************

We experienced an emergency water main event this past week so our water was off for about an hour.  I was lucky as I had just finished my shower.  LOL  The announcement was posted on Channel 3 but I like most of us seldom have that channel on.  In fact, I don't think we even get that channel anymore.  

We did receive a text announcement, however.  This system has been in place for a year or more so if you haven't signed up, you can still do so.

*******************

OH NO!!!

Stuff

The latest issue of Smart Computing magazine arrived yesterday so thought I’d share this great tip with you.

Daily Tip:
Quickly Enter A URL In IE
When you manually enter a URL in Internet Explorer (IE), it can be a hassle to use your mouse to select the address bar, highlight the URL, and delete the current Web address. To expedite the process, press F6 on your keyboard and your cursor will automatically move to and highlight the current URL in the IE address bar. Because highlighted text is automatically deleted if other text is entered, you can simply type your new URL in the IE address bar.

Show off that helpful hint to your friends and impress them!

 

We saw the RC airplanes buzzing around at the airfield this morning so stopped by to say good morning.  Jerry McDonald, Jim, and Richard were enjoying and sharing their avid hobby.  Jerry was flying his “watermelon” plane.

Jim was mumbling and laughing at himself for forgetting to bring the battery for this big plane he wanted to fly.

Jim doesn’t drive just a “car”.  He drives an aircraft carrier!!!!   Look at all those toys!

Richard was busy explaining the planes and the flying club to a potential new member.

While we were out in that area, we noticed that Jim Dawson has been BUSY with the gardens.  He even has them planted already!!!

After our chores, we hurried over to Chick-Fil-A for our weekly free breakfast.  The place was crowded with fellow Creekers!  It has really turned into a fun event on Thursday mornings.  We’ll all have to remember to return the owner’s kindness by patronizing his restaurant as often as we can this season.  Don Fillipi said he was disappointed in me because I didn’t have my camera in hand.

     Ha Ha Don……………the joke is on YOU! My smart phone takes pictures too!!

 

I have two other photos I’d like to share with you readers.  This first one Don took this morning.  I thought it was unique with the long shadows of the palm trees……and even nicer because a bunny rabbit stopped to pose.  The “shadows” idea would make a great subject for the photo club next season.

This last photo is a favorite of mine because it really shows the results from the tenacious mud storm we had on July 5.  This is the side of Bud and Donna Keay’s shed at Site 728.  That storm was just unbelievable.

Okay………….that’s my post for today.  Thanks for stopping by!  (Don’t forget to comment in the guestbook at the top of the page.)

Pampered Chef Party

Diane Gaines hosted a Pampered Chef party here yesterday.  I've been to quite a few of these parties in the past so I didn't think this would be a very big deal as they're usually just a typical house party but this one was FUN, educational, and entertaining.  I attribute it to the Pampered Chef representative, Rachel Thomas, who gave the presentation.  She obviously loves the job and the products she presents.

Rachel Thomas and Diane Gaines

All the proceeds from the sales plus the hostess items received will be donated to the Cancer Awareness program in February.  Hostess gifts will be added to the silent auction.  If you like Pampered Chef products and would like to order, you can still do so on line until Wednesday at:

Pampered Chef - Palm Creek orders     Enter Diane Gaines as the hostess name.  

Rachel prepared a spinach strawberry salad to share with us using many of her product items plus she cooked a microwave cake for dessert.  The afternoon was so much fun that we requested Diane to sponsor another party.  She suggested doing one in January just before the Cancer Awareness events but other guests requested one in December so they could purchase Christmas gifts as well.  Consensus is that we 'might' have two more to keep everyone happy.  At the next party, many of us want to bring our husbands because they spend as much time or MORE in the kitchen than we do.  It is always fun to have good quality TOOLS to do a job.

I was having so much fun chatting with friends, listening to the presentation, enjoying the delicious food, and deciding what to add to my order that I forgot to take photos of the whole group.  I gathered a couple stragglers for this picture

Back row Left to right:  Lesley Evans, Avis Gray, Nancy Flader, Barb & Jim Cobb, Bev Johnson, Peggy Fetzer.
Front:  Sandy Schoonover, Hostess Rachel Thomas, Bonnie 

*********************

I received a couple text messages from Steve Endsley last night.  He is still in ICU and in a lot of pain but at least he is well enough to text.  He anticipates being released in 6-7 days.  I posted the address of Seeds of Hope yesterday where you can help his family with much needed contributions.

**************

We are definitely into monsoon season.  We get a little thunderstorm quite often ... mostly during late afternoon or evening.  Sometimes there is precious rain but usually just dust.  Humidity occasionally spikes up after a rain but the sun dries it up FAST....unlike what the weatherman says many folks out east are enduring.  We have no complaints about our summer here.  So far (fingers crossed) we can still enjoy our mornings and evenings outdoors.

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.