las casitas de sonoma
Las Casitas News
Millennium Memo
A couple months ago, I observed that no one from Las Casitas had applied for a SPARC/Millennium scholarship in 3 years. That streak is now over! Please join me in congratulating Las Casitas scholar Ben May, your 2025 Scholarship winner.
Before the recent 3-year drought, Las Casitas had winners 5 years in a row—including twice for Ben. I’m not sure what happened, but it’s great to be back in a winning streak. Let’s keep this going!
Thanks to the folks at SPARC, our resident services partner, for this generous program.
Some Fun Stats
Did You Know?
Secretary of State, William Seward negotiated the U.S. purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million (less than 2cents per acre) in a deal nicknamed Seward’s Folly. The formal transfer took place on October 18, 1867.
SPARC’s partnership with the Redwood Empire Food Bank resulted in the equivalent of 139,900 meals provided to 904 residents per month, with a value of $407,000. That’s the estimate for Las Casitas & Rancho Feliz combined for the past 12 months.
Would you have guessed it was that much? That total is divided 1/3 to Las Casitas, 2/3 to Rancho Feliz, roughly equal to the parks’ relative sizes. This output qualifies us as a “Trusted Hunger Relief Partner.” How’s that for an impressive title?
SPARC is also sponsoring a “Little Monster Mash” on October 11, featuring another appearance by Museum on the Go. There will be a costume contest, science stations, prizes, a FREE lunch you will make sure you child is signed up, right?
Millennium Memo Cont...
• Recent big expenditure: $80K to seal the streets. We’ll also spend $20K on tree maintenance and $15K for fencing at the Pond. Your Rent Dollars at Work!
• In related news Las Casitas reached 100% compliance with the Annual Income Certification requirement, as our lone holdout finally came through. Thanks again to all of your for your cooperation. Your Certs made the Street Project possible.
• This month’s Kudos go to Jane Stone & Bob LaBouron (Sp. 320), for not only painting their home, but also getting the color approved before starting. Great job, you two. Now maybe you can explain how there’s a Space 320 in a 126-space Park.
• Unkudos to “residents not picking up after pets in yards,” as Debra put it. Gross! You know better than that.
Have fun at the SPARC Halloween Event...and enjoy that fresh new paving smell!
George Turk
President: Erin Gabriel
Vice President: Vickey Rico
Treasurer: Nicole Hindmon
Secretary: Andrea Perez
H.O.A. Message Board
HOA email: hoaatlascasitas@@hotmail.com
Hello Neighbors!
Important Upcoming Dates:
October 4 Social Club Coffee Hour
Time: 10:00 to 11:00 am
Don’t miss out, come early! It's only as long as 4 dozen donuts last. Donuts from Jelly Donut, coffee from Starbucks, juice for the kids, and coloring! Hosted by Nicole
Want to host a coffee hour? Email Erin at hoaatlascasitas@hotmail.com. It’s free. It’s easy. And we will walk you through how to hold the coffee hour successfully!
November 6 Manager Corner Nacho Dinner Meeting
Time: 6:30 pm
Come to the meeting to hear the managers report on what is happening in Las Casitas, ask any questions you might have, give a compliment or let the manager know of any concerns. Nachos will be provided!
December 7 Friendsgiving
Time: 3 pm
Come have a free Friendsgiving dinner with your neighbors! Friendsgiving is always a great dinner and a fun time. Hope to see you there.
Recent Social Club events:
Friday Sept 5: Mom’s Night Out
A dinner/crafting event especially for the women of Las Casitas to have an evening out. All materials were provided, and a wonderful instructor taught Sun Catcher making. Organized and hosted by Andrea.
September 19: It’s Hammer Time!
An evening event for the men of Las Casitas to have dinner and their own craft night. Hosted by Lalo. Pictures to follow once the event takes place!
Garden Report:
The garden is continuing to produce lovely tomatoes, squash, eggplants, and peppers for the food bank. The garden is now open for residents to pick what they want.
Happy October!
Presidenta: Erin Gabriel
Vicepresidenta: Vickey Rico
Tesorera: Nicole Hindmon
Secretaria: Andrea Perez
Correo electrónico de la Asociación de Propietarios: hoaatlascasitas@hotmail.com
¡Hola, vecinos!
Próximas fechas importantes:
Hora del Café del Club Social, 4 de octubre
Horario: 10:00 a 11:00 a. m.
¡No se lo pierdan, vengan temprano! Solo hay hasta que se agoten las 4 docenas de donas.
Donas de Jelly Donut, café de Starbucks, jugo para los niños y ¡colorear! Organizado por Nicole.
¿Quiere organizar una hora del café? Envíe un correo electrónico a Erin a hoaatlascasitas@hotmail.com. Es gratis. Es fácil. ¡Y les explicaremos cómo organizar la hora del café con éxito!
6 de noviembre: Cena de Nachos en el Rincón del Gerente
Hora: 6:30 p. m.
Asista a la reunión para escuchar el informe de los gerentes sobre las actividades en Las Casitas, hacer preguntas, felicitar o comunicar cualquier inquietud al gerente. ¡Se servirán nachos!
7 de diciembre: Día de Acción de Gracias
Hora: 3 p. m.
¡Venga a disfrutar de una cena de Acción de Gracias gratis con sus vecinos! El Día de Acción de Gracias siempre es una gran cena y un momento divertido. ¡Esperamos verlos allí!
Eventos recientes del Club Social:
Viernes 5 de septiembre: Noche de Mamás
Una cena/evento de manualidades especialmente diseñado para que las mujeres de Las Casitas disfruten de una noche fuera. Se proporcionaron todos los materiales y una maravillosa instructora enseñó a hacer atrapasoles. Organizado y presentado por Andrea.
19 de septiembre: ¡Hora del Martillo!
Una noche para que los hombres de Las Casitas disfruten de una cena y su propia noche de manualidades. Presentado por Lalo. ¡Próximamente se publicarán fotos del evento!
Informe del Huerto:
El huerto sigue produciendo deliciosos tomates, calabazas, berenjenas y pimientos para el banco de alimentos. El huerto ya está abierto para que los residentes recojan lo que quieran.
¡Feliz octubre!
Pumpkin Streusel Coffee Cake Tasty
Tidbits
Ingredients
Streusel:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
Cake:
1 (15.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3 large eggs
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree (such as Libby’s)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray; set aside.
2. Combine brown sugar, flour and pumpkin spice in a medium bowl. Cut in 4 tablespoons cold butter using a fork or pastry blender until it resembles coarse crumbs. Set streusel aside.
3. Beat cake mix and 4 tablespoons softened butter together in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add pumpkin puree and cinnamon; mix until well blended, about 3 minutes. Stir in pecans.
4. Pour batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Sprinkle streusel topping over batter.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, 40-45 minutes. Cool cake before serving for about 5 minutes.
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
