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the hacienda

The President’s Report

By Karen Schirrmacher

As I sit down to write the President’s report for October 2025, it gives me time to reflect on how quickly the summer has flown by. The days' light hours are getting shorter with the arrival of Fall. This summer has been cooler with fewer 100+ degree days. Which reminds me, as of this writing, the A/C in the Clubhouse is in the process of being replaced and is expected to be in good working order. October is not as jam-packed as some months, but there will be a nice selection of events to participate in. October 18th will be the HOA dinner, a catered Italian dinner by Gay 90’s of Pleasanton. October 24th will be the Ladies Lunch Group outing; I sure hope all you ladies are able to join the group for a wonderful lunch, good times, and laughs. October 25th is our monthly craft event meeting at the clubhouse at noon. Come out and learn a new craft and enjoy spending time with neighbors. Friday, October 31st, will be our Halloween potluck; bring a dish to share, and costumes are greatly encouraged. We are working out the details currently, but we want to have a pet costume parade. More details to follow.

Hope to see everyone out and around the park.

How to Reverse Aging Wrinkles

I thought maybe some of you, men & women, might be interested in this article on how to reduce aging wrinkles.

Science has discovered the fountain of youth, and it is in your body and has everything to do with something called “Telomeres.” What the heck are telomeres? Below is a picture of a telomere.

Where in our bodies are these youth and aging machines called telomeres? Telomeres are located at the ends of chromosomes inside the nucleus of every cell in your body. They act like plastic aglets on the ends of shoelaces. Telomeres shorten each time a cell divides. How often do cells divide? Your body produces nearly two trillion new cells every day through cell division, meaning that the telomeres are getting shorter every time they divide, which is why we see aging in our bodies and our faces.

Nutrition That Protects Telomeres

Plant-rich diet: Antioxidant-packed foods like berries, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds help fight oxidative stress, a major driver of telomere shortening.

Drinking Water from Plastic Bottles Causes Health Problems?

Drinking water from plastic bottles can pose health risks due to the presence of microscopic plastic particles and chemical leaching. Here's a breakdown of the main concerns:

Nano plastics and Microplastics

What they are: Nanoplastics are extremely tiny fragments of plastic, often invisible to the naked eye, that can leach into bottled water during manufacturing or storage.

- How much is in bottled water: A recent study found that a single liter of bottled water can contain up to 240,000 plastic fragments, with 90% being nano plastics.

Health risks:

- May interfere with hormone function (acting as endocrine disruptors).

- Can cross biological barriers like the intestinal wall and even the blood-brain barrier.

- Linked to inflammation, immune system disruption, and potentially increased cancer risk in animal studies.

Chemical Leaching

Common chemicals: Bottles made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can leach substances like bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and antimony into the water.

Effects:

- BPA mimics estrogen and may contribute to hormonal imbalances.

- Phthalates are associated with reproductive and developmental issues.

- Antimony is a toxic metal that can cause nausea, vomiting, and other health problems.

Safer Alternatives

- Use reusable bottles made of stainless steel, glass, or silicone.

- Avoid exposing plastic bottles to heat, which accelerates chemical leaching.

- If you must use bottled water, choose brands that offer purified water and avoid reusing single-use bottles.

Speaking of water, did you know that Pleasanton water is considered moderately hard to hard? What makes water hard? This means the water contains calcium, magnesium, and sometimes iron and manganese.

Hardness is measured in parts per million (PPM) of calcium carbonate. Soft water rates 60 PPM

Moderately hard rates 60 to 120 PPM

Hard rates 120 PPM.

Pleasanton’s water is rated at 100 to 300 PPM, which means our water is rated as hard to very hard.

What can this mean to you:

Health Effects of Hard Water

Dry Skin & Hair: The minerals in hard water can strip away natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and even exacerbating conditions like eczema or acne.

Digestive Concerns: Some studies suggest that excessive mineral intake from hard water might slightly affect digestion, though more research is needed.

Kidney Stones: High calcium levels may increase the risk of kidney stone formation in some individuals.

Cardiovascular Impact: There’s some evidence linking long-term consumption of very hard water to cardiovascular issues, though this is still debated.

Household Impacts

Appliance Damage: Mineral buildup (limescale) can clog pipes, reduce water flow, and decrease the efficiency and lifespan of appliances like dishwashers and washing machines.

Lime-Scaled Pipes

Laundry Issues: Hard water can leave detergent residue on clothes, making them feel stiff or tacky.

Cleaning Challenges: It leaves streaks and spots on dishes, glassware, and surfaces, requiring more effort and cleaning products.

Soap Inefficiency: Hard water reacts with soap, reducing its effectiveness and making it harder to lather.

Solutions

Water Softeners: These systems remove excess minerals, improving water quality for both consumption and household use.

Shower Filters: Help reduce skin and hair irritation by filtering out minerals during bathing. Reverse Osmosis Filtering: This system is installed under your sink, and makes your water taste wonderful.

Are You Grieving & Would Like to Talk to a Grief Counselor for Free to Help You?

Grieving the death of a loved one can be a painful and lonely experience. It can change our world by altering our relationships with others, and our own sense of identity. Our daily habits are disrupted, activities associated with specific roles are lost, and life plans are derailed in the wake of significant loss. Frequently, it is difficult for us to know if the feelings and reactions we are experiencing are normal ones.

Our society encourages us to “get over it and get on with life.” This leads to further pain and isolation. Grief is the natural response to profound loss and is the expression of the strong bond you had with the person who died. No two people grieve in the same way.

Grief, the natural response to a loss, is actually a whole array of feelings that deserve attention and care. Some normal grief responses include:

The period of grieving is a natural part of the process of healing after a loss. Healing is possible when we allow ourselves to identify and understand our feelings as they arise. Participating in grief education classes and individual or group counseling can:

1) Enhance the healing process.

2) Reduce the sense of isolation.

3) Provide an opportunity to share thoughts & feelings with others who are grieving.

4) Lead to personal growth & healing.

5) Learn about the healing process.

Here is a contact who can provide the support you need.

1) Call Hospice Eastbay support at (925) 887-5678. You or a family member didn’t have to be part of hospice to get counseling. You can also get support online at their website. https://tinyurl.com/3kuh7ufr

You Can Teach Your Pet to Talk with Talking Buttons!

Did you know that you can teach your dog to verbally talk to you? They can communicate with you verbally, so you don’t have to guess what they want or need, using talking buttons, as seen above.

You will need to teach your dog to touch a button that you associate with statements like:

1) I want water.

2) I want to eat.

3) I need to potty.

4) I want you to cuddle me. You can teach your animal to tell you a host of things, including how to put together sentences. Our animals are smarter than we give them credit for.

If you go to YouTube online, you can see many videos on how to train your dog to communicate with you with buttons.

Yields 12 Muffins

Ingredients:

1) 8 large eggs

2) ¼ cup milk

3) ½ Cup shredded cheese

4) 1/6 Cup finely chopped green onions

5) 1/3 Cup cooked bacon, sausage, or ham

6) Salt & Pepper to taste

7) Non-stick spray

Instructions:

1) Preheat oven to 350

2) Grease a 12-cup muffin tin generously with non-stick spray

3) Prepare egg mixture in a bowl, whisk together ingredients

4) Add the mix-ins: Shredded cheese, onion, meats

5) Fill muffin cups: Pour the egg mixture evenly into muffin tins. Fill each three-quarters full.

Breakfast Egg Muffins

6) Bake for 18 to 30 minutes, or until eggs are fully set & tops are golden.

7) Cool & serve: Allow muffins to cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before removing. These can be frozen for convenience.

What Are the Symptoms of Alzheimer's?

1) Memory loss that disrupts daily life especially forgetting recently learned information.

2) Repeating questions or conversations without realizing it.

3) Misplacing items and putting them in illogical places (like keys in the fridge)

4) Difficulty planning or solving problems, such as following a recipe or managing bills.

5) Trouble completing familiar tasks, like driving to a known location or playing a favorite game.

6) Losing track of time or place, forgetting how they got somewhere.

7) Getting lost in familiar places or forgetting the day of the week.

8) Problems judging distance or contrast, which can affect driving or reading.

9) Poor decision-making, such as dressing inappropriately for the weather or falling for scams.

10) Withdrawal from social activities, hobbies, or work.

Can we just go back to April or May for a while?! I can't believe it is October already. There are some very fun activities going on. Enjoy all the Park events we've offered here. Great times with friends and neighbors. Reading any good books lately? Come and join us at our Book Club that meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Prayers that our lovely President, Karen is back to her healthy self again after her hospital time in September. We need her! So sad for the passing of our beautiful Rose Donato in September. Also, Jack McKay. We miss our dear friends. It's really hard saying goodbye to Mel Dailey. He has now moved to SC to be with his daughters, Rachel, Sara, and grandchildren. What a blessing they have been, coming back and forth to care for him. We love them too! Anyone traveling there...you are welcome to visit our "forever friends".

Dog Grooming at Hacienda

Netta Michell, Amy Fernandez & Darcy Kelly

Netta used to be a professional dog groomer.

Edwin & Maya Susan & Milo Abbie & Nancy

Jobina & April Karl & Manchester

Karl – Jan – Chris

Karen Karl Jobina Shirley

Izzy Roberta Bunnie Officer & Susan

Penny Shirley Jan Mary Officers

Darcy Officer Penny Penny Mary Officer Edie Shirley Darcy Officer Penny

Submitted by Amy Fernandez, Space 75

My mom and I have been here for 1 ½ years so far, and every day we enjoy it more. Moving to a community where neighbors watch out for one another, enjoy time spent together, and occasionally share a meal. It is everything we had hoped it would be. I love gathering people for events, saying hello to everyone I see, waving to cars without even knowing who is driving, petting all of the dogs that are out and about, playing bingo and bunco, and doing crafts each month, helping where I am able. Sharing coffee with a friend every week, just looking out for one another. Hacienda is my very own slice of heaven. In a world of anger, selfishness, loneliness, and fear, I am loved and protected by my Hacienda family!

There are so many of us who love being here, and no one who lives here should ever be lonely. We have each other, and our door is always open for visitors! Let’s continue to make Hacienda a lovely place that we enjoy and continue to engage with each other as often as possible. It is our world to protect and enjoy! Thank you to everyone who has touched our lives in one way or another. We feel blessed to be here!

Look who’s New at Hacienda

Welcome, Jonni Hawthorne and David Gilpin, the new “Northerners” at Space 45. They became a part of Hacienda in the fall of 2024, but their self-description as “yo-yos” has had them sharing their time between their house in Stevens, Washington, in the Columbia Gorge area, and traveling. Jonni has spent most of her life in the Pacific Northwest, while David has been a resident of Pleasanton for the past forty years. Jonni is a special education teacher with the Pleasanton Unified School District. David has retired from his career as a horticulturist. 6 children and 8 grandchildren are the joy of their lives, as are Jonni’s interest in travel and kayaking, and David’s hobbies of golf, bridge, and walking. Their little “Yo-Yo” dog Buddy may be on its way to setting some kind of mileage record as it travels with them whenever possible. When they are home at Hacienda, Jonni and David have been a part of our monthly meals and will welcome the opportunity to get to know you.

Latin Lingo Dutch Brush Master

ALMA MATER

CARPE DIEM

CAVEAT EMPTOR

DE FACTO

E.G.

ET CETERA

ET TU BRUTE

EX NIHILO

IN MEDIAS RES IN VINO VERITAS

IPSO FACTO MAGNUM OPUS

NON SEQUITUR

PER CAPITA

PER SE

POST MORTEM

PRIMA FACIE

PRO BONO

QUID PRO QUO

STATUS QUO

Across

1. Shaggy Scandinavian rug

4. Colgate rival

9. Common Market inits.

10. Sled dog

11. “Casablanca” pianist

12. Ms. Williams in aquamusicals

13. Ancient rival of Athens

15. First word of the Constitution

16. Aleppo’s land

18. Word in a simile

20. Quantum theory pioneer Max

23. Wet lowland

25. “Smoking or ___?”

26. Gauchos’ weapons

27. Big deal

28. Doesn’t ignore

29. Tennis match part

Down

1. Remainder

2. “Awright!”

3. High points

4. Dark

5. “From ___ with Love”

6. “C’___ la vie!”

7. Bias

8. Phoenician trading center

14. Action on the side

17. Kournikova and Karenina

18. Court order against antisocial behaviour

19. Mop up, naut.

21. The “C” in U.P.C.

22. Masseur’s target

24. Bass, e.g.

The headline is a clue to the answer in the diagonal.

October Sudoku

How to solve sudoku puzzles

No math is required to solve a sudoku. You only need logic and patience.

Simply make sure that each 3x3 square region has only one instance of the numbers 1-9. Similarly, each number can only

appear once in a column or row in the larger grid. The difficulty on this puzzle is easy.

TRIVIA TEASER

T Time

1. What company is represented on the New York Stock Exchange ticker by the letter T? a-Target, b-Radio Shack, c-AT&T, d-Kodak.

2. Who played the title character on the TV cop show "T.J. Hooker"? a-Jack Lord, b-William Shatner, c-Erik Estrada, d-Burt Reynolds.

3. In what city could you ride the commuter rail service known as the T? a-San Francisco, b-San Antonio, c-Boston, dMiami.

4. What is the middle name of Captain James T. Kirk on "Star Trek"? a-Taylor, b-Thomas, c-Timothy, d-Tiberius.

5. In what country would you find the headquarters for the T-Mobile telecommunications service? a-Germany, b-Norway, c-Canada, d-South Korea.

6. White blood cells known as T-cells get their name because they mature in what part of the human body? a-Teeth, b-Thalamus, c-Thymus, d-Tegument.

7. One way of investing your money is with the purchase of T-bills. What does the T in T-bill stand for? a-Tax, b-Tangible, c-Transaction, d-Treasury.

8. What 1962 instrumental hit with an edible title was the highest-ranking song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart by Booker T. and the MGs? a-"Bread and Butter," b-"Cotton Candy," c-"Green Onions," d-"Sugar and Spice."

9. T-Bag was the nickname of a villain played by Robert Knepper on what Fox TV drama series? a-"Oz," b-"24," c-"Touch," d-"Prison Break."

10. What did the T stand for in the names of T.E. Lawrence and T.S. Eliot? aThomas, b-Theodore, c-Tyler, d-Terrell.

QUOTES

Riches don't make a man rich, they only make him busier. Christopher Columbus, discoverer of America in 1492.

By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination. Christopher Columbus, discovered the new world in 1492

Everything you've ever wanted is on the other side of fear.

George Addair, Founder of the Omega Vector, a self knowledge program

A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.

Francis Bacon: English philosopher, statesman, scientist and author

When you forgive, you in no way change the past -- but you sure do change the future.

Bernard Meltzer, radio host of "What's Your Problem" in Philadelphia

He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty.

Lao Tzu: philosopher of ancient China

You have a clean slate every day you wake up. You have a chance every single morning to make that change and be the person you want to be. You just have to decide to do it. Decide today's the day. Say it: this is going to be my day.

Brendon Burchard, author, of The Millionaire Messenger.

Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, but a thing to be achieved.

William Jennings Bryan: American politician from the 1890s

I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.

Edward Everett Hale, editor and author of 60 books

The Lighter Side

Leather

When a woman wears leather clothing, a man's heart beats faster. His throat gets dry. He gets weak in the knees and begins to think irrationally.

Ever wonder why?

She smells like a new truck!

Old man

He was eating lunch at a truck stop when three bikers walked in. The first pushed his cigarette into the old man's pie, then took a seat at the counter.

The second spit in the old man's milk, then took a seat at the counter. The third turned his plate over and then took a seat at the counter.

The old man left without a word. One of the bikers said to the waitress, "Humph, not much of a man is he?"

The waitress replied: "Not much of a truck driver either. He just backed his truck over three motorcycles."

What to do

An elderly couple just bought cellphones and learned how to text. She was the romantic type and one afternoon sent him this message.

"If you are sleeping, send me your dreams.

If you are laughing, send me your smile.

If you are eating, send me a bite.

If you are drinking, send me a sip.

If you are crying, send me your tears. I love you."

The husband texted back to her: "I'm in the bathroom. Please advise."

Answer to 'T Time'

1-c, AT&T

2-b, William Shatner

3-c, Boston

4-d, Tiberius

5-a, Germany

6-c, Thymus

7-d, Treasury

8-c, "Green Onions" 9-d, "Prison Break" 10-a, Thomas

Awareness Months

Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month.

October 2025 Calendar

Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

German-American Heritage Month. National Crime Prevention Month.

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. National Dental Hygiene Month.

National Polish-American Heritage Month.

Fire Prevention Week. Oct 6-12. Contact Lens Safety Month

Holidays and Special Days

1-2, Yom Kippur, holiest day in Judaism, begins at sundown with fasting and prayer for atonement.

1, National Homemade Cookies Day, celebrates baking and sharing homemade cookies.

2, Gandhi Jayanti, India, honors Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday with tributes to his nonviolence legacy.

4, National Taco Day, honors tacos with food events and promotions nationwide. Sometimes listed as October 7.

5, World Teachers’ Day, recognizes educators’ contributions to learning and society.

6-13, Sukkot, Jewish festival begins at sundown, celebrates harvest and Israelites’ desert journey.

6, National Coaches Day, honors coaches for mentoring and inspiring athletes.

7, National Frappe Day, celebrates frothy coffee drinks with café specials.

8, National Pierogi Day, honors Polish dumplings with culinary events.

9, Fire Prevention Day, promotes fire safety awareness with local events.

10, World Mental Health Day, raises awareness for mental health support and care.

12, National Farmers Day, honors farmers’ contributions to food and agriculture.

13, Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day, United States, federal holiday commemorates Columbus’s arrival or honors Native American cultures; banks and post offices closed.

15, National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, honors families affected by loss.

16, World Food Day, promotes global action against hunger and food insecurity.

17, National Pasta Day, celebrates pasta with recipes and restaurant specials.

18, National Chocolate Cupcake Day, honors sweet treats with baking and indulgence.

20, Diwali, Hindu Festival of Lights, celebrates good over evil with lamps and festivities.

21, Bandi Chhor Divas, Sikh holiday commemorates Guru Hargobind’s release from prison.

24, United Nations Day, marks the UN’s founding with global peace events.

25, National Greasy Foods Day, celebrates indulgent comfort foods like fries.

27, Navy Day, United States, honors the U.S. Navy’s service and contributions.

28, National Chocolate Day, celebrates chocolate with sweet treats and promotions.

29, National Cat Day, honors feline companions with pet adoption events.

30, National Candy Corn Day, celebrates the iconic Halloween treat.

31, Halloween, United States, festive day with costumes, trick-or-treating, and spooky decorations.

Events and Festivals

1-4, New Holland Farmers Fair at New Holland, PA. Showcases agricultural displays, food vendors, and community events.

1-13, Holland Ridge Fall Flower Festival at Cream Ridge, NJ. Features sunflower fields, u-pick flowers, and food trucks.

1-27, Tri State Sunflower Festival at Swedesboro, NJ. Offers sunflower picking, hayrides, and family-friendly activities.

1-25, Maple Leaf Farms Fall Fun Fest at Manalapan, NJ. Includes pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and fall-themed games

1-27, Harvest Village at Holmdel, NJ. Features fall crafts, food vendors, and seasonal activities.

1-31, Fall Harvest Days at Norz Hill Farm, Hillsborough, NJ. Offers hayrides, pumpkin picking, and farm-fresh food.

1-31, INKTOBER. Artists create one ink drawing daily, shared online at inktober.com.

2-5, North Carolina State Fair at Raleigh, NC. Features rides, livestock shows, food vendors, and live music.

3-5, Unionville Community Fair at Kennett Square, PA. Showcases local crafts, food, and agricultural exhibits.

6-10, Manheim Community Farm Show at Manheim, PA. Highlights farming, crafts, and food competitions.

10-12, Autumn Leaves Festival at Mount Airy, NC. Offers soul food, bluegrass music, and craft vendors.

10-13, New York Comic Con at Manhattan, NY. Showcases pop culture with celebrity panels and cosplay events.

10-13, Food Festival at Tanger Outlets, Deer Park, NY. Features global cuisine, live music, and family activities.

13-18, Dillsburg Farmers Fair at Dillsburg, PA. Features agricultural exhibits, food stalls, and community events.

17-27, Pensacola Interstate Fair at Pensacola, FL. Offers rides, entertainment, and food vendors.

18-19, Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival at Jim Thorpe, PA. Showcases autumn scenery, crafts, and live music.[

18-19, Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkin Festival at Pittsburgh, PA. Features giant pumpkins, food trucks, and family fun.

18-19, Crafts in the Meadow at Richboro, PA. Offers handmade crafts, art, and local food vendors.

19, Kennett Square Clover Market at Kennett Square, PA. Features artisan crafts, food trucks, and live music.

20-26, Arizona State Fair at Phoenix, AZ. Includes rides, food vendors, and live entertainment.

C1 Hacienda