las casitas de sonoma
Las Casitas de Sonoma
August 2025
Las Casitas News
Did You Know?
Eight U.S. Presidents are confirmed to have been lefthanded, including recent leaders like Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George H.W. Bush. Interestingly, from 1981 to 2009, five out of six Presidents were left-handed! .
The Budget is final now, and includes most of the things I bragged about last month.
Big items include Streets & Driveways ($82K), “P-Trap Removal” ($50K), Fencing ($14K), RV Gate, Sewer Lines, Laundry Wall Repair…but several smaller upgrades made the list as well about $200K+ in total.
We’ve spent $2M in Las Casitas over the past 5 years, so I was hoping for a bit of a pause, but Debra had other ideas. This list is even more impressive when you consider that we’re “only” budgeting a Net Surplus of $130K for the year.
This investment would not be possible without the funds generated by your Income Certs. 70% of you have returned your Certs so far, for which we thank you. If you’re part of the missing 30%, please drop your Cert off at the Office as soon as you can.
In Less Expensive News
• Debra is awarding this month’s Kudo to “all the residents taking immediate action to improve their spaces after the Lot Inspections.” A great example is Juana Marin (Sp. 5), who did a nice job on her yard.
Thanks so much for your cooperation. Aren’t you happy with how your homesite looks now?
• Recent resident complaint: “Trash cans left out after trash pickup.” Not the biggest problem, but please humor your neighbors and bring your cans off the street in a timely manner.
• One more nag: this one directed at children being a bit reckless on their e-bikes. We’ve gotten reports of near misses between ebikes and pedestrians and cars. Please make sure your kids get your best safety lecture.
I used the term “near-miss,” but when you think about it, wouldn’t a “near-miss” actually be a hit? Either way, be careful!
• The July SPARC Back-to-School Event took place after the deadline for this Memo, but I’ll have a report for you next month. We’re also hoping to announce that a Las Casitas student earned a 2025 SPARC/Millennium College Scholarship, ending a 3-year drought.
Stay Tuned!
Speaking of Street Work…
A man walked into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm. “I’ll have a beer,” he said, “and one for the road.”
Enjoy the new streets…and please return your Income Certs.
George Turk
Manager’s Corner
Summer is in full swing, and with schools out, many of our community’s children are spending more time outside enjoying the sunshine. Please remember to drive slowly and stay alert, especially in areas where kids are playing or riding bikes.
A few important reminders to help keep our community safe, clean and enjoyable for everyone:
• Pick up after your pets, including in your own yard.
• No food or glass is allowed inside the pool area. Please use the tables located just outside the gate if you’d like to eat. Make sure to pick up after yourself.
• Please be respectful to your neighbors- kindness and consideration go a long way in creating a welcoming environment for all.
Please remember that our streets are getting sealed beginning August 14th and 15th. If you have any questions please contact the office at 707-795-6671.
I also want to thank everyone for your quick response in returning the income certifications. Those of you who still haven’t turned it in please do so as soon as possible. Thank you for your attention and cooperation. Let’s all do our part to make this a great summer in the community.
Debra Grayson Onsite Manager
H.O.A. Message Board
Welcome to the HOA Message Board
Officers:
President: Erin Gabriel
Vice President: Vickey Rico
Treasurer: Nicole Hindmon
Secretary: Andrea Perez
Hello Neighbors!
Social Club Coffee Hour:
June and July brought you our first Social Club events, a community coffee and sweets hour on Saturday morning. Check your tubes and Facebook for the upcoming dates! It was a hit, with 20 people coming for coffee, sweets, and coloring for the kids. A good time was had by all.
Have an idea for an event, but not sure how to make it happen? We will help you figure it out!
Community Garden:
The garden is booming, and by the time you read this, a whole bunch of tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, eggplants and peppers will continue to be available in the food bank. Many thanks to our fabulous volunteers who planted, watered, weeded and picked the vegetables for you. Special thanks to Bob, Camile, and Andrea for their work.
June HOA and Community Meeting:
The community and HOA board met on June 19. We had dinner from Mountain Mike’s Pizza, soda, juice, water and cookies. 21 people attended the meeting. We had a treasurer and garden report, and Debra updated the community on the current standing of issues in the park, and answered questions. The meeting was short and sweet, and the food was terrific! Meeting minutes are available on the Las Casitas Facebook page.
Out next quarterly meeting will be held in October, date to be announced.
We hope you are enjoying these beautiful summer days!
If you are on Facebook, you can join other residents in our park for information, etc.
1. Go to Facebook
2. Look for Las Casitas Residents
3. Ask to join page
4. Administration will approve
Presidenta: Erin Gabriel
Vicepresidenta: Vickey Rico
Tesorera: Nicole Hindmon
Secretaria: Andrea Pérez
¡Hola, vecinos!
Hora del Café del Club Social:
Junio y julio les trajimos nuestros primeros eventos del Club Social: una hora comunitaria de café y dulces el sábado por la mañana. ¡Consulten sus redes sociales y Facebook para enterarse de las próximas fechas! Fue todo un éxito: 20 personas vinieron a tomar café, disfrutar de dulces y colorear para los niños. ¡Todos lo pasamos genial!
¿Tienen una idea para un evento, pero no saben cómo llevarla a cabo? ¡Les ayudaremos a encontrarla!
Huerto Comunitario:
El huerto está en pleno auge, y para cuando lean esto, un montón de tomates, calabazas, pepinos, berenjenas y pimientos seguirán disponibles en el banco de alimentos. Muchas gracias a nuestros fabulosos voluntarios que plantaron, regaron, desherbaron y recogieron las verduras. Un agradecimiento especial a Bob, Camile y Andrea por su trabajo.
Reunión de la Asociación de Propietarios y la Comunidad de Junio:
La comunidad y la junta directiva de la Asociación de Propietarios se reunieron el 19 de junio. Cenamos en Mountain Mike's Pizza, con refrescos, jugos, agua y galletas. Asistieron 21 personas. Recibimos un informe del tesorero y del jardín, y Debra informó a la comunidad sobre la situación actual de los problemas en el parque y respondió preguntas. La reunión fue breve y agradable, ¡y la comida estuvo deliciosa! Las actas de la reunión están disponibles en la página de Facebook de Las Casitas.
Nuestra próxima reunión trimestral será en octubre; la fecha se anunciará próximamente.
¡Esperamos que estén disfrutando de estos hermosos días de verano!
5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Sunscreen
1. Broad-Spectrum
Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that will protect your skin from ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which cause premature aging of the skin, and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which cause sunburn and skin cancer.
2. Ingredients
There are two types of sunscreens mineral and chemical. Each filters UV rays differently. Mineral sunscreens, made of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, sit on top of the skin and create a barrier of protection by deflecting the sun’s UV rays. Since they don’t absorb into the skin, they can look and feel a little filmy. Chemical sunscreens contain active ingredients that penetrate the skin and use various FDA-approved sun-filtering compounds that absorb UV rays, preventing them from penetrating the surface of the skin.
3. Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
Look for a product with an SPF of 30 or higher. The numeric rating refers to how well a sunscreen protects you from sunburn. Anything over 50 isn’t necessary.
4. Water Resistance
The FDA has banned manufacturers from claiming a sunscreen is waterproof, but make sure your choice is water-resistant. Products that are water-resistant from sweat and swimming will remain effective for up to 80 minutes. This means you need to reapply every two hours if you’re sweating, swimming, or have prolonged sun exposure.
5. Types
Sunscreens come in many forms: lotions, sticks, gels, and sprays. In general, lathering on a lotion provides the most thorough and trustworthy coverage. Aerosols blow into the air when applying them, which can leave spotty coverage. Sticks and gels can get messy and even melt in extreme heat.
STAY COOL
Visit a Cooling Center To Beat The Heat
A Cooling Center provides a place for you and your family to go to cool down during hot summer days.
Visit a Cooling Center
If you need to cool off, most cities offer cooling centers where you can beat the heat. These cooling centers are in City facilities where you can enjoy recreation programming or a good book while you cool off. Cooling centers are open and available during regular hours of operation unless otherwise noted. You can call 2-1-1 from your phone or go online at www.211.org to find a list of cooling center locations and hours of operation in your area.
Summer months bring fun, sun, and heat! Sometimes, the heat can become dangerous, especially for children, pets, people who work outside, and people with certain health conditions. Staying safe in high heat is important. Follow these simple tips to stay cool:
• Drink plenty of cool water! Stay hydrated.
• Wear loose, light-colored clothing that will keep you cool. Wear sunscreen and a hat for protection.
• Check on neighbors who might be vulnerable to the heat, especially those without air conditioning.
• Never leave children or pets in a car - not even for one minute. Temperatures inside a car can quickly skyrocket to deadly levels.
• If you work or play outside, take frequent breaks to hydrate and cool off in the shade.
Symptoms of heat-related illness include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps, and increased thirst. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention.
DIRECTIONS FOR ALL RECIPES
1. In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to whip cream until stiff peaks occur, be careful not to over whip. The cream will be done when you pull the beaters out and the cream stands at attention.
2. In another large bowl, whisk the vanilla and salt into the sweetened condensed milk. Gently fold in the whipped cream with a spatula, slowly incorporating the two mixtures together so it stays light and aerated.
3. If making individual flavors, scoop the cream mixture into smaller bowls and gently fold in your desired mix-ins, or if making just one flavor, mix the ingredients directly into the full batch of cream mixture.
4. Transfer the mixture to an insulated tub, paper containers or a loaf pan and cover with plastic wrap or a lid.
5. Freeze 4– 6 hours.
No—Churn Ice Cream 4 Ways
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 can chilled sweetened condensed milk
1 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pinch of fine sea salt
Mix ins
MIX-IN IDEAS:
• Peppered Strawberry Bean: Vanilla bean, frozen strawberries, black pepper, white chocolate chips
• Key Lime Pie: White chocolate chips, graham cracker pieces, lime juice, lime zest
• Minty Mini-Chocolate Chip: Fresh minced mint leaves, peppermint extract, green food coloring, mini chocolate chips
• The Islander: Toasted coconut with pineapple chunks, macadamia nuts and salted caramel
• German Chocolate Cake: Cocoa powder, chocolate cake pieces, toasted coconut & pecans, caramel drizzle
• Gimme Some More S’mores: Mini marshmallows/toasted marshmallow, graham cracker crumbles, chocolate chunks
• The Kitchen Sink: M&M’s, toasted peanuts, popcorn, pretzels and salted caramel
• Elvis Thrust: Peanut butter, bananas, honey (Tip: Mix the peanut butter with a little cream so it stays creamy instead of turning rock hard when it freezes.)
• Lumberjack: Waffle cone, crumbled bacon, maple syrup
• Cookie Monster: Chocolate chip cookie dough bits, Oreo pieces, chocolate chip cookie pieces
French Sites
BASTILLE CATACOMBS
CHAMBORD
CASTLE
DDAY BEACHES
EIFFEL TOWER
LASCAUX CAVES
LES INVALIDS
LOUVRE
NIMES ARENA
NOTRE DAME
OMAHA BEACH
PONT DU GARD
SACRE COEUR
SAINT MALO
SAINTE CHAPELLE
VERSAILLES
Across
1.“What ___ is new?”
5.Any doctrine
Expecting an answer
8. Greek earth goddess: Var.
9.On the ocean
10.Jobs
11.Responded in court
12.Con man
14.Souvenir
20.Wise one
21.Eagle’s nest
23.Early video game
24.Flower holder
25.“A Chorus Line” number
26.Greek god of love
Down
1.Breakfast fare
2.Secular
3.Sound of relief
4.Facilitate
5.Part of an archipelago
6.Soothsayer
7.“Spy vs. Spy” magazine
9.Likely
13.“___ we there yet?”
14.Atomic particle
15.Sea eagle
16.Coffee holder
17.Church section
18.Eye drop
19.About
20. U.S. document publisher
22.“I agree”
The headline is a clue to the answer in the diagonal.
August 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.
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BRE License #01353119 707-695- 8121
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Reader Response
From time to time we like to reach out to readers to gather feedback. This time we are looking to learn more about what advertisers or services you would like to see in your magazine.
You could let us know any of the following: A specific business (we would need their name and contact info), a type of business that you would like or a company you have used.
We do all of this to make sure we are providing you with access to companies that can help you in any number of ways. This is critical to the success of the magazine for both readers and advertisers. That is the partnership that has worked for over 40 years and still works today.
We would like to offer an incentive to any new advertiser you help us to get to advertise. For any new advertiser who wants to come on board we can offer a 10% discount on all 6 and 12 month ad contracts. The only condition is that they have never advertised before. We want new companies who can learn the benefits of advertising in your magazines.
We can be reached by email at readerresponse@mobilehomeparkmagazines.com or via phone (800)-828-8242 x3107.
