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las casitas de sonoma

Las Casitas de Sonoma

June 2025

Las Casitas News

June Dates to Remember

D Day WWII 6

National Donut Day 6

Full Moon 11

Friday the 13th 13

Flag Day 14

Father’s Day 15

Go Fishing Day 18

Finally Summer 20

Did You Know?

In 1970, Elvis Presley and Priscilla spent part of their honeymoon at the Alexander Estate in Palm Springs now nicknamed “The House of Tomorrow.” The futuristic home, with its circular rooms and stone walls, became a symbol of desertmodern style and 70s glamour. Elvis leased the home from 1966 1967 at a whopping $21,000 for the year.

The new income numbers are out, and according to the California Dept. of Housing & Community Development, the median household income for Sonoma County is…$132,000. Would you have guessed it was that high?

That number is used for affordability purposes, so there is some tweaking from the actual incomes folks are earning, but it’s a good approximation. Last year’s number was $128.400, so Sonoma County incomes are up about 3%. Do you feel richer?

Those numbers also mean that according to the State of California, the affordable rent level for a family of four in Sonoma County is $1,887.50 per month and that’s for a very-low income household. That makes Las Casitas’ rents seem like a bargain, doesn’t it?

You’ll get your Annual Income Form shortly, if you haven’t already. You know the drill: check a few boxes, fill in some blanks and return the Form as soon as you can. Your Forms generate the funds for all the park upgrades $4.5M and counting and help keep rents down.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

SPARC in Las Casitas

Last month, 12 of you participated in a Painting Class sponsored by SPARC, our resident services partner and featuring Clusterfunk Art Studio (yes, that’s their name).

The Artistic 12 enjoyed music from a DJ, guided art instruction

and a FREE dinner (Chipotle!). Thanks to Ally & the folks at SPARC for bringing this program to Las Casitas.

SPARC is now accepting applications for 2025 SPARC/ Millennium College Scholarships. Las Casitas hasn’t had any applicants in 3 years, so if you apply, your chances of winning are pretty good. Just don’t miss the August 1 deadline.

Some Quick Notes

• We’ve ordered $25K worth of new Pool/Spa Furniture, some of which has already arrived. We also bought a $15K Storage Container for the Maintenance Yard, did some painting and replaced bark & mulch throughout the Park.

• Debra is awarding this month’s Kudo to Jane Stone & Bob LeLouarn (Sp. 320), “for replacing the bark/mulch in their yard. Looks really nice and updated.” I guess it was a good month for the mulch salesperson. Nice job, Jane & Bob.

• Someone was spotted putting food in the Pond. Please don’t do that it’s bad for the fish.

Touching Father’s Day Note From My Daughter

“Dear Dad I wish I had enough money to buy the Angels for you. I wouldn’t do that, I just wish I had that much money.” Brings a tear to your eye, doesn’t it?

Have a fun Father’s Day!

George Turk

Yesterday, I was washing the car with my son. He said, “Dad, can’t you just use a sponge?”

Welcome Summer- School should be ending or have ended by the time you read this. Please remember now that school is out, the children will be out playing. Drive slower and pay more attention especially on the corners.

Meter Reads- We will be reading the meters on Monday June 16th, please make sure that the area around your meters is accessible.

Dumpster- Remember we do have a dumpster in the maintenance yard for larger items that you can’t fit in your garbage bin. Give the office a call or ask Edward while he is out and about, and we will get it thrown away!

Pool- Please remember the pool rules. Which are posted on the gates to enter the pool. If you determine that the heater is not working, please let us know so that we can get it looked that as soon as possible.

Soliciting- There is to be no soliciting in the park. If you happen to notice someone going door to door please call the office as soon as possible. I can then go out and explain the rules.

Parking- While I’ve noticed that we’ve gotten better at residents not using Guest Parking during the day, we still have some that park in front of the house. Please remember our streets are fire lanes and parking there could lead to being towed. The tow truck drives through daily!

Resident Concerns- Forms are available in a few places if you need one, check out the desk in the library or in the hallway outside. Grab one and fill it out if you have an issue you need addressed. Having a paper trail helps with enforcement.

DebraGrayson OnsiteManager

H.O.A. Message Board

Welcome to the HOA Message

During our last board meeting, a new board was installed, and a change was made that will be outlined below. Many thanks to all who attended the meeting, asked questions, voted, and offered ideas!

Your new officers are:

President: Erin Gabriel

Vice President: Vickey Rico

Treasurer: Nicole Hindmon

Secretary: Andrea Perez

It was voted on to keep the HOA board and add a Social Club. Residents will be able apply to the HOA Social Club for sponsored events that are open to all park residents. This puts the power in the residents’ hands to decide what events they would like to have.

We are currently in the process of designing the application. Once we have the application finished, we will distribute Social Club information to all residents.

Garden: Thank you to Camile and Bob for taking the initiative and getting the community garden in the ground! We appreciate the work and effort it takes to shop, dig, amend soil, and put in the plants!

Reminder: once the garden is producing, all the vegetables will be put in the food bank. Please do not pick the growing vegetables.

Needed: volunteer to put in a snap-together drip system, supplies will be provided! Are you good with Legos? Then you can do it! Contact any board member if you can help.

Want to volunteer to water or do other garden chores? Contact Camile or Bob.

Paint night:

Many thanks to SPARC for putting on a very fun Adult Paint night and dinner. The combination of great music, good food, and painting with the community made for an excellent evening. Special thanks to Ally Sage, it was a lot of work to put this together, and we appreciate you!

HOAatLasCasitas@hotmail.com

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

Las Casitas Residents

Back to School with Museum on the GO

ALL RESIDENTS WELCOME FOR COMMUNITY LUNCH!

Featuring Science Activity led by MOG

New School Supplies RAFFLES!

Lunch with community

July 19th, 2025 // 11:00am Las Casitas Clubhouse

All students must sign up at the office to receive new school supplies and participate in our raffle! (50 kids max) All residents welcome to attend lunch but will not be eligible for other event features.

Please return this portion to the office by Thursday, July 10th.

Child's name, age and grade________________________________________

Guardian name, space and phone number

Residentes de Las Casitas

Regreso a la escuela con Museo en movimiento

¡TODOS LOS RESIDENTES SON

BIENVENIDOS AL ALMUERZO

COMUNITARIO!

Presentando

Actividad científica dirigida por MOG

Nuevos útiles escolares

¡RIFAS!

Cena con comunidad

19 de julio de 2025 // 11:00am Casa Club Las Casitas

¡Todos los estudiantes deben registrarse en la oficina para recibir nuevos útiles escolares y participar en nuestro sorteo! (Máximo 50 niños)

Todos los residentes son bienvenidos a asistir al almuerzo, pero no serán elegibles para otras actividades del evento.

Por favor devuelva esta parte a la oficina antes del jueves 10 de julio.

Nombre, edad y grado del niño

Nombre, espacio y número de teléfono del tutor_

PAINT PALOOZA

CLUSTERFUNK ART STUDIO

2025

In April, Las Casitas residents were able to enjoy a paint party with instruction from Tyler and DJ Brittany! After painting, everyone enjoyed Chipotle.

Big thanks to Clusterfunk for the awesome time!

t forget to sign up for the back 2 school event at Las casitas July 19 , 2025 11:00am // Sign up in the office

Dealing with Food Insecurity?

SPARC is proud to partner with Redwood Empire Food Bank to provide residents of Las Casitas with non-perishable goods and produce. Due to liability reasons we cannot distribute any perishable items.

These goods are allotted on a first come first serve basis from 9:00am-9:00pm in the clubhouse. This program is meant to be supplemental and may not meet all your food needs. Please contact the park office with questions.

Redwood Empire Food Bank has alternate open distribution sites. The nearest is listed below, you can show up weekly to shop or schedule orders online!

New Hope Market 183 E Cotati Ave. Cotati, CA 94931

In person shopping: Every Thursday 4:00pm-6:00pm Onsite Contact: 973-592-3411 If you are unable to place an online order, simply drive up curbside and let us know that you don't have an order.

El Banco de Alimentos Redwood Empire tiene otros sitios de distribución abiertos. El más cercano se indica a continuación; puede presentarse cada semana para recoger alimentos o programar pedidos en línea.

New Hope Market

183 E Cotati Ave. Cotati, CA 94931

Compras en persona: todos los jueves de 4:00pm a 6:00pm Contacto en el sitio: 973-592-3411

Si no puede realizar un pedido en línea, simplemente acérquese a la acera y avísenos que no tiene un pedido.

Para ver más sitios de distribución de alimentos cerca de usted, visite: https://getfood.refb.org/getfood.html

REFB también ofrece asistencia con CalFresh en el Centro de Recursos de Conexiones Alimentarias.

Llame al: 707-523-7903

¿Está lidiando con inseguridad alimentaria?

SPARC se enorgullece de asociarse con Redwood Empire Food Bank para proporcionar a los residentes de Las Casitas productos no perecederos y productos agrícolas frescos.

Por razones de responsabilidad legal, no podemos distribuir productos perecederos.

Estos productos se asignan por orden de llegada de 9:00 a.m. a 9:00 p.m. en la casa club. Este programa está diseñado como un complemento y puede que no cubra todas sus necesidades alimenticias. Por favor, comuníquese con la oficina del parque si tiene preguntas.

Sheet Pan Tacos

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more if needed

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion

• 4 ounces diced green chiles

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

10 corn tortillas

1 cup refried beans (optional)

1 cup shredded Cheddar chees cilantro, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, hot sauce (optional)

Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and lightly coat with 1 tablespoon olive oil.

Combine beef, onion, green chiles, chili powder and salt in a medium bowl and mix until well incorporated.

Wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave just until softened, about 30 seconds.

Spread about 3 tablespoons beef mixture over half of a tortilla ina very thin layer that reaches to the edges. Spread about 1 tablespoon beans (if using) onto other half. Sprinkle all over with about 2 tablespoons cheese.

Fold tortilla in half to make a taco; place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas, meat and cheese. Brush tops of tacos with remaining oil.

Bake tacos in the preheated oven, flipping halfway through, until lightly browned, toasted, and crisp around the edges, 30-35 minutes. Serve with desired

Puzzles and Word Games you can

COMMON MEDS SMALL INCREASES

ADDERALL AMLODIPINE ATIVAN

BENZONATATE BIKTARVY CYMBALTA DUPIXENT

EMTESA FARXIGA GABAPENTIN

HUMIRA

KEYTRUDA

LEXPRO

LYRICA MELATONIN METFORMIN NALTREXONE NAPROXEN NARCAN OPDIVO

OZEMPIC PREDNISONE TRAMADOL

VIAGRA XANAX

Across 1.Carbonium, e.g.

4.Charm

9.“Gimme ___!” (start of an Iowa State cheer)

10.Trowel wielder

11.Flexible mineral

13.Believed

14.African conflict of 1899-1902

16.Not out

17.Big Apple attraction, with “the”

18.In attendance

20.Shiver from fear

22.Chill

24.Big time?

25.Wuss

27.Chemical ending

28.“The Republic” writer

29.Darling Down

1.Poets’ feet

2.Part of “the works”

3.“Good one!”

4.Morning, for short

5.Gandhi’s title

6.Conniver

7.Fa follower

8.Terminate

12.Chair part 15.___ bit 18.Companionless 19.C.I.A. director under Clinton and Bush 20.Charlie, for one 21.Page 22.Software program, briefly 23.“For Me and My ___”

26.Rocky’s greeting

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

Heliport Wordoku

How to solve wordoku puzzles

You only need logic and patience to solve a wordoku.

Simply make sure that each 3x3 square region has only one letter from the word HELIPORT. Similarly, each letter can only appear once in a column or row

in the larger grid. The difficulty on this puzzle is medium.

TRIVIA TEASER

Looking Glass

1.What weekly radio program has been hosted by Ira Glass since 1995? a"Car Talk," b-"This American Life," c-"All Things Considered," d-"A Prairie Home Companion."

2. What broken crystal animal is offered to Jim by Laura at the end of the Tennessee Williams play "The Glass Menagerie"? a-Unicorn, b-Swan, c-Deer, d-Alligator.

3.What architect designed the glass pyramid in the courtyard of the Louvre Museum in Paris? a-William Burgess, b-I.M. Pei, c- Eliel Saarinen, d- Benjamin Latrobe.

4.What New Wave band had a #1 hit with the song "Heart of Glass" in 1979? a-The Happenings, b-The Dolls, c-Blondie, d-Wang Chung.

5.Father Time carries an hourglass in one hand, and what object in the other hand? a-Football, b-Flute, c-Beaker, dScythe.

6.What actress is accused of being a Soviet spy in the comedy film "The GlassBottom Boat"? a-Doris Day, b-Eleanor Powell, c-Judy Garland, d-Brigitte Bardot.

7.Which of the dwarves in Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" wore glasses? a-Happy, b-Bashful, c-Doc, d-Grumpy.

8. What was the last name of the police detective played by Ron Glass on "Barney Miller"? a-Meyers, b-OíHara, c-Harris, dRiley.

9. Who recorded the 1974 top 10 song "Long Tall Glasses (I Can Dance)"? a-John Denver, b-Engelbert Humperdinck, c-Carl Douglas, d-Leo Sayer.

10.Selenium is used in glassmaking to create glass of what color? a-Red, b-Yellow, c-Violet, d-Green.

QUOTES

Less ego, more wealth. Saving money is the gap between your ego and your income, and wealth is what you don't see. So wealth is created by suppressing what you could buy today in order to have more stuff or more options in the future.

Morgan Housel

More people can be greater leaders than they think they can, but they need a purpose greater than themselves.

William J. Clinton, 42nd president of the United States.

Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.

Frequently attributed to Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the United State

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan, "Press on," has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

Calvin Coolidge, 30th president of the United States, from a sign on his desk.

Any man worth his salt will stick up for what he believes right, but it takes a slightly better man to acknowledge instantly and without reservation that he is in error.

Andrew Jackson, 7th president of the United States

Live without pretending, Love without depending, Listen without defending, Speak without offending.

Aubrey Drake Graham (Drake), Recording artist, songwriter

If Trivial Pursuit had been designed by economists, it would have had 100 questions and 3,000 answers.

Ronald Reagan

The Lighter Side

Rice Preference

The young woman really thought she'd been very patient through a protracted period of dating with no talk of marriage.

One night her steady boyfriend took her to a Chinese restaurant. As he perused the menu, he casually asked her, "So . . . how do you like your rice? Boiled? Steamed? Or fried?"

Without missing a beat, she looked over her menu at him and replied clearly, "Thrown."

Talking Clock

While proudly showing off his new apartment to friends late one night, one wag led the way to his bedroom where there was a big brass gong.

"What's that big brass gong for?" one of the guests asked.

"Why, that's the talking clock," the man replied. "Watch", the man said, giving the gong an ear-shattering pound with a hammer.

Suddenly, someone on the other side of the wall screamed, "F'gosh sakes, you idiot, it's 2 a.m. in the morning!"

Apples

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:

"Take only ONE. God is watching."

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.

A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."

Answers to Looking Glass

1-b, "This American Life" 2-a, Unicorn 3-b, I.M. Pei 4-c, Blondie 5-d, Scythe 6-a, Doris Day 7-c, Doc 8-c, Harris 9-d, Leo ayer 10-a, Red

Anna Harris & Berni Baxter

Serving Sonoma County since 2001

Specializing in

Manufactured/Mobile Homes in 55+ and Family Parks

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Estate Disposition Specialists

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