Nature enthusiast and Citizen Scientist Angela Bergelt explores monarch butterflies’ lifecycle, migration, and challenges in a class March 20.
March Classes Cover GPS, Sushi, Butterflies
Patricia Ingalls
During March, LifeLong Learning (LLL) offers three classes, all on weekdays, in the LLL Center. For full details and to register, go to lifelonglearningatpc.org.
How GPS Works: On Tuesday, March 4, at 1 p.m., scientist and PebbleCreek resident Tim Stevens will explain the design history and intriguing background stories about how the global positioning system (GPS) became a universal tool, now commonly powering cell phones and Google Maps.
While a chief scientist at Lockheed Martin, Stevens worked on GPS satellites, on the GPS ground-control segment, and holds a patent for GPS receivers. He asks class attendees to bring their curiosity; no math or science skills needed.
Making Kimbap Korean Sushi: On Wednesday, March 12, at 11 a.m., Julia Kim will teach a hands-on cooking class on how to make Korean kimbap. Kimbap is a popular Korean dish, made of rice and various fillings rolled in sheets of seaweed (kim). It’s similar to sushi, but typically features cooked ingredients, rather than raw fish. She also will cover the history and cultural significance of this beloved Korean food.
Participants will learn how to prep ingredients, rolling techniques, and creative variations. All ingredients, tools, and recipes will be provided, as will samples for tasting.
Unraveling the Secrets of Monarch Butterflies: On Thursday, March 20, at 1 p.m., Angela Bergelt will cover the monarchs’ lifecycle, migration pattern and challenges, and explain how to become a Citizen Scientist. She will explain how monarch populations are monitored, give an overview of tagging programs, and show tips for creating monarch-friendly habitats and using best practices for maintaining a monarch-butterfly garden (monarch waystation).
Bergelt, a nature enthusiast and amateur bird photographer, is actively involved in tagging monarch butterflies, as part of the Southwest Monarch Study, which tracks their migration to Mexico and coastal California.
Rae-Dawn Arabian Stables owners, Murray and Shirley Popplewell, welcome LifeLong Learning visitors to their Scottsdale horse farm March 13. (Photo provided by the Popplewells)
Visit an Arabian Horse Stable
Patricia Ingalls
On Thursday, March 13, LifeLong Learning (LLL) is hosting a tour of Rae-Dawn, a five-star Arabian horse facility in Scottsdale. The facility’s Canadian owners, Murray and Shirley Popplewell, welcome LLL visitors to tour the stables and arena, close enough to pet their award-winning animals.
Since acquiring Rae-Dawn in 2009, the Popplewells’ improvements, additions, and enhancements have elevated the facility into one of the world’s most beautiful Arabian horse farms.
“We breed Arabian horses,” said Murray. “We don’t breed a halter horse or a performance horse. A correct and beautiful Arabian horse must be both, and we don’t sacrifice this philosophy.” Murray’s passion was recognized when he received the 2022 Arabian Breeders World Cup Amateur Handler of Distinction award.
As a special bonus, the Popplewells plan to serve sandwiches and nonalcoholic beverages for lunch at the farm.
For full details and to register, go to lifelonglearningatpc.org.
Retired NASA astronaut Col. Jerry Ross speaks about his out-of-this-world experiences Friday, March 21, at 7 p.m. in Tuscany Falls Renaissance Theater.
Hear About NASA, Goodyear, Africa
Patricia Ingalls
During March, three speakers will give presentations in the Tuscany Falls Renaissance Theater—one as an evening Premier presentation and the other two as Weekday morning offerings. For full details, and to register for the $15 evening Premier presentation, go to lifelonglearningatpc.org.
Spacewalker—My Journey as a NASA Astronaut: On Friday, March 21, at 7 p.m., Col. Jerry Ross, retired NASA astronaut and record-setting Space Shuttle veteran, will share his extraordinary journey, from humble beginnings on a farm in northwest Indiana, to achieving a world-record seven Space Shuttle flights, involving more than 58 hours spent on nine spacewalks. Two years after his 2012 retirement, he was inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame. His presentation will conclude with a captivating video from one of his missions, offering both enlightenment and entertainment.
Goodyear’s Blockbuster Year of Achievements and Action: On Monday, March 24, at 10 a.m., Goodyear City Manager Wynette Reed will talk about growth in Goodyear, as well as trends in commercial and residential development. Reed also will touch on a recent update to the City’s General Plan, and highlight major projects in the works.
Reed was appointed city manager in February 2023. She has more than 37 years of municipal government experience, including more than 26 years in management/leadership roles. The Colorado State University alumnus holds a master of science degree in organizational leadership. In October, Arizona Capitol Times recognized her as one of the 2024 Women Achievers of Arizona.
Africa Through a PebbleCreeker’s Eyes: On Monday, March 10, at 10 a.m., PebbleCreek resident Gary Luders will share stories and photos of his adventures during a 2023 solo trip to Africa to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Additional highlights included a caged shark dive, paragliding, 30 game drives, seeing the “Big 5” animals, rafting some of the world’s most dangerous rivers, bungee jumping, gorge swing, a helicopter ride, and seeing gorillas up close and personal. Among the friendly people he encountered were native residents who invited him to experience how they live in today’s world.
Luders and his wife, Kathy, moved to PebbleCreek 18 years ago, and are year-round residents. They love travelling, being outdoors, and participating in theater and dance.
Weekday speaker tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. in the lobby of the Renaissance Theater and are $5 at the door. No registration is required.
The theater is equipped with a hearing-loop system, which is a special type of sound system for people who use hearing aids. The loop system provides a magnetic, wireless signal that is picked up by a hearing aid, when it is set to the T-setting (telecoil). Many hearing aids are equipped with telecoil technology.