CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

Canine Companions Ceramics

Continued from previous page would be appreciative.

We had a tremendous turn out for Tom’s Burger feast in July and this month will be Linda’s Taco Salad on August 19. Please RSVP.

Tom Brockmiller, lindabrock@cox.net, (949)

412-1083

Casta Creatives

Calling all artists! Join us on Wednesdays and Thursdays for Open Studio from 3 - 6 p.m. in the Arts and Crafts Room at Rec Ctr 1. Bring a piece that you are working on. Get help, ideas, and inspiration from the artists in Casta del Sol. All media and levels welcome, from aspiring to advanced artists.

The Wine and Paint Night was a great success! The participants enjoyed sipping wine and listening to music while creating their own version of Maribeth McFaul’s abstract flower. We will be conducting another Wine and Paint Night on September 29. Sign-ups open on August 28. There will be limited space for this event. The cost for members is $30 and non-members $35.

For more information contact Jodie Trainer.

Jodie Trainer,

jodietrainer@hotmail.com

The Ceramics Club is pouring molds, spinning on the wheel, and hand building beautiful one-of-akind items every day. In July, Claudia taught slip trailing which was a great class and we had a Bingo Party just for fun. In August, we will have a hand building class by Kelly. Come see what we are doing or better yet, join us.

We welcomed four new members this month: Parizad, Seth, Kay, and Jill. We are in Ceramics every day of the week and our meetings are on the first Friday of the month at 10 a.m. in the Ceramics Room.

Shelly Lethiot, Shelly2casta@gmail.com, (949) 533-3316

Crafts For Charity

The Craft Ladies of Casta del Sol delivered journals and summer-themed table centerpieces to Laura’s House for the enjoyment and use of their residents. We also delivered 100 thank you cards to the City of Mission Viejo to be sent to the deployed members of the military that the city sponsors. In addition, 85 Fourth of July tray favors were delivered to Meals on Wheels’ recipients.

We will be continuing to make a variety of handmade items on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon in Rec Ctr 2. Club meetings will be on August 2 and August 16.

Stop by when you can and lend a hand. All materials will be supplied, and you’ll be shown what to do. Come and join us. It’s a great way to meet your neighbors and make new friends while helping others.

Jessica Hollowell, (310) 480-9093

Cribbage

We play cribbage each Thursday in the Heritage Room at Rec Ctr 2 from

6:30 until about 8:45 p.m. If you are interested in learning to play this old English card game, any of our members would be willing to teach you on a one-to-one basis, or we can do it on a Thursday evening; it’s really not that complicated. You just need to be able to count to 31. If you have ever played in the past, the rules will quickly come flooding back; just come on down for a few games and a general social evening. There is no sign-up or commitment. If you want more information, contact Susan Herrning. Susan

Herrning, susanherrning@aol.com

CLUBS & ACTIVITIES Cont’d Democrats

The Casta del Sol Democrats Club is on hiatus during August and our next meeting will be September 10 at 3 p.m. Please mark your calendar. Generally, the meetings will be on the third Sunday of the month at 3 p.m. in the Vista Room, but in September there is a holiday on the third Sunday.

The officers are meeting during the summer to plan agendas for the next few months. At the Democrats Club meetings, we have guest speakers discuss local, statewide, and national topics followed by a Q and A. We also talk about action plans and coordinating with other Democratic Clubs. Building camaraderie among members is an important aspect of our meetings.

We are working on expanding our membership, so please encourage your friends and neighbors to join. Currently, we are a no-dues club, and we have a potluck at meetings. If you would like to add your name to the list, please let me know.

Debra Friedman, debrafriedman0@gmail.com, (949) 230-7195

Health & Fitness

Our Women’s Fitness Presentation in June was a great success; we had a waiting list of 38 residents on top of our 20 maximum attendees. No question, we will be continuing these kinds of events. And we are discussing offering drop-in fitness classes as well. We’d love your input on the kinds of classes, and topics we could be covering, including all aspects of fitness, and health in general. Contact me if you’d like to be added to an email list for advance notice of upcoming events

Helen Freedman, PelicanPost123@yahoo.com, (646) 662-7325

Heritage Garden

Nothing is more energizing as a mid-summer stroll through our blooming and lush Heritage Garden. Check out the Matilija poppies aka “fried eggs” in bloom. The Palo Verde trees are bursting with flowers and the purple carpet under the flowering Jacaranda trees makes for beautiful harmony of colors in the garden. With longer days, the landscapes in the garden at sunset are just awesome. Take a seat at sunset on the bench overlooking the garden on Calle Valdes and you will be amazed how familiar vistas have a new look with plants backlit by the dazzling colors of the sunset. With birds chirping as they fly to their roosts, it makes for a perfect end to another beautiful day in our Heritage Garden. Our deep appreciation to the garden volunteers and our many thanks to our donors and all those who recycle. You make a difference.

Parizad Sethna, parizad9@outlook.com, (949) 298-0076

Italian American

Our next Italian American Bingo will be on Thursday, August 10 at 6 p.m. at Rec Ctr 1 in the Vista Room. The cost is $5. Bingo cards are $1 each. We will be serving a light dessert, coffee, and water. BYOB. As usual, the last game will have a payout of $100. For more ways to be a winner, we will have a Pot of Gold drawing. Be sure to sign up in the office.

Lucille Naves, neilnaves@cox.net, (949) 600-5887

Las Damas

Las Damas Club is looking forward to resuming our fall Luncheon Meetings beginning Wednesday, September 13. Please note that this is a correction of the date announced earlier. Sign-ups will begin on August 13 at

Rec Ctr 1 and will continue through September 10.

Ticket prices remain the same at $25 for members, and $30 for non-members. Checks are payable to Las Damas Club. If you are new to Casta del Sol, and/or would like to join our club, you are most welcome! Annual dues are $15, which will reduce the cost of luncheon reservations.

Details of the luncheon menus and entertainment will be featured in the September Courier. The board members have scheduled delicious new menus by Martinez Catering and fabulous new fall entertainment, including CdS favorite Tony O’Dell in September.

Pat Crowley, (949) 305-0582

Mah Jongg Mavens

Join our group any Saturday morning from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room at Rec Ctr 2.

For lessons contact our experienced instructor, Lani Wolff, and she will schedule a series of four weeks, two hours each session on Mondays. Email Lani at lanilobo40@gmail.com for further details and to register.

Mah Jongg Mavens hold a tourna-