Kare Bears Korner

Mark your calendar to buy tickets for November fall luncheon

Ticket sales for Kare Bears 2015 Fall Luncheon, Celebrating 20 Years, will begin on Wednesday, September 30 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Eagle’s Nest Ballroom. This is a change of location for the first day of sales. The committee asks residents purchasing multiple tickets to provide Kare Bears with a list of each person’s name, menu choice, phone number and payment for each ticket purchased. The cost of the tickets will be $23 per person. Thereafter, ticket sales will continue Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in October at the Eagle’s Nest kiosk from 10:00 a.m. to noon until sold out.

Don’t delay buying your tickets as this event sells out quickly.

The menu choices are Chicken Picatta, Terres Major (beef) served with mushroom sauce, or spinach artichoke crepes. All meals will include a garden salad, rolls, roasted red potatoes and California vegetable medley. There will be a spectacular birthday dessert surprise for everyone.

The luncheon is being held on Wednesday, November 11, 2015, at 11:30 a.m. at the Tuscany Falls Ballroom. Raffle tickets sales will begin at 10:30 a.m. and, at that time, a cash bar will be available. The doors will open at 11:00 a.m. for you to find your tables and socialize with friends. Plan on coming early that day to buy your winning tickets.

The committee co-chairs, Barbara Kooyenga and Cathy Sitarz, have been working diligently to make this an event you will not want to miss. There will be many wonderful raffle items.

The luncheon will be highlighted by the presentation of the prestigious Founder’s Community Service Award honoring an outstanding PebbleCreek volunteer.

Also on this special occasion, the well-earned Exceptional Service Award will be given to a few dedicated Kare Bears volunteers who have gone beyond the call of duty.

Not to be overlooked, the Friends of Kare Bears award will be presented to individuals or businesses that have performed a particular service(s) to Kare Bears. This award is not necessarily given to a PebbleCreek resident.

If you have additional questions on ticket sales, please contact Arlis Legler at 623-234-4709. We look forward to seeing you at the luncheon.

July donations

The Kare Bears Board of Directors wishes to acknowledge various donations received in July from the following residents.

A non-campaign donation was received from John and Kathleen Turner

Equipment Use donations were received from Betty Crosson and Paul and Joan Zuckerbrow.

Memorial Contributions in memory of Beverly Nathan were received from Paul and Charlene Romanos, Jeffrey and Rosellen Buda, Bob and Hope Ewest, Dale and Susan Nevig, Kathleen and Michael Sweeney, Tom and Toni Kiesling, Rod and Linda Grabau, Norman and Rosalie Persky and Emily and Stephen Kane.

A Transportation Use donation was received from Jim Smiiech.

The generosity and thoughtfulness of these residents will enable Kare Bears to continue to serve the needs of our PebbleCreek residents.

What is Share Bears Bingo?

Share Bears Bingo is held every Friday morning from 11:00 a.m. until noon at the Eagle’s Nest Ballroom. We start playing Bingo promptly at 11:00 a.m., so you are welcome to join us any time after 10:30 a.m.

This program is sponsored by Kare Bears and led by a team of volunteers who provide a welcome environment for our PebbleCreek residents who live alone or live with family members and have limited activities. Ten games are played for one hour and attendees pay 25 cents for two cards. Drinks, snacks and cookies are served. In addition, once a month, birthday cake is served.

Please join us on Fridays and meet your neighbors and make some new friends.

If you want more information, please call Norma Klinger at 623-536-2135 or send her an email at [email protected].

Curing skin cancer in the Valley of the Sun

Kare Bears would like to invite you to hear Dr. Manntaj Sra, Medical Director of Sun 3BX at the Kare Bears monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 16 at 11:00 a.m. at the Eagle’s Nest Ballroom.

Dr. Manntaj Sra is the Medical Director of Sun 3BX, world leader in the non-surgical treatment of skin cancer. He is a graduate of the Medical College of Georgia, School of Medicine and did his internship in Radiology at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Sra also completed his residence for Internal Medicine at Bay State Medical Center, Tufts University. Dr. Sra is Board Certified through the American Board of Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology. He, along with his team of Radiation Oncologists and medical professionals, has been treating skin cancer with Electronic Brachytherapy throughout the valley for many years. This procedure, called surface electronic brachytherapy, is revolutionizing the way we treat skin cancer. With a 98% cure rate, it is the choice for those who have skin cancer in places that are typically difficult for surgical procedures, patients who can’t tolerate surgery, or are facing the chance of disfigurement due to MOHS surgery. “We have a great, nonsurgical, painless alternative to what can be a very time-consuming and painful procedure and we are getting very effective clinical outcomes. There are patients in their 70s and 80s who say, ‘Stop, I don’t want to have any more cutting. I’ve had enough.’ Which is not an unreasonable request,” says Dr. Sra. “We are also seeing younger patients with skin cancers on the nose, eyes, ears and scalp who don’t want the disfigurement or scarring left behind by surgery. With electronic Brachytherapy there is no scarring which is very important to many people. There is also no cutting, pain, or chance of infection, stitches, tissue loss or healing time.”

Dr. Sra will be bringing his mobile unit to the Eagle’s Nest parking lot when he comes to speak. He will be offering a free screening to a limited number of residents that attend his talk.

This presentation is open to all PebbleCreek residents at no cost.

As Kare Bears is celebrating our 20th anniversary, we will also have a few raffle prizes for some lucky attendee to win!

Please come and join us at this most informative presentation on Wednesday, September 16!

Several PebbleCreek residents after having a tasty lunch of liver and onions or enchiladas at Estrella Estates

Several PebbleCreek residents after having a tasty lunch of liver and onions or enchiladas at Estrella Estates

Kare Bears tours and lunch at assisted living communities

After a brief summer rest, we are ready to begin touring the assisted living communities in our area. Our last tour at Estrella Estates in June was very well attended.

On Tuesday, September 17, we have scheduled a tour and lunch at Hacienda Del Ray. This community is located at 12917 W. Las Cruses Drive in Litchfield Park. (Turn right on Dysart Road, just behind Albertson’s Grocery Store.) Hacienda Del Ray accepts Assisted Living, memory care and respite care. The tour will begin at 11:30 a.m. and lunch will follow.

Then on Thursday, October 22, we have scheduled a tour and lunch at La Loma, another assisted living, memory care and respite care facility. The tour will begin at 11:30 a.m. and the lunch will follow.

Always remember, when you need extra care it’s best to be familiar with all the nearby communities available to PebbleCreek residents.

We look forward to you joining for either or both of these informative tours and lunches.

Please call the Kare Bear house, 623-536-1200, to make a reservation or for details.

Flu, pneumonia and shingles shots dates announced

As part of our Kare Bears Wellness Program we will be offering flu, pneumonia and shingles shots administered by Walgreens.

They will be giving the standard flu shots along with the high dose 65 plus flu shots, pneumonia shots and shingles shots at the Tuscany Falls Ballroom 3 on the following dates and times:

Tuesday, October 6, 8:00 a.m. to noon

Thursday, October 8, 8:00 a.m. to noon.

Monday, October 12, 8:00 a.m. to noon

Wednesday, October 14, 8:00 a.m. to noon

Saturday, October 24, 8:00 to noon

In general, most insurance covers the cost of the standard flu shots at 100% (Medicare does cover flu shots); however, if the shots are not covered by your insurance, the cash price for the standard flu shot is $30. The cost of the high dose 65 plus shot is to be determined. The cash price for the pneumonia shot is also to be determined. The shingles shot cost varies by insurance companies. Please check with your insurance carrier prior to signing up.

A sign-up sheet is in the Kare Bears folder at the Community Information mailbox across from The Eagle’s Nest Pro Shop. Residents can choose the time they prefer to sign up.

For any questions, please call the Kare Bears house at 536-1200.

AARP Safe Driving Class Friday, Sept. 25

An AARP Safe Driving Class will be held on Friday, September 25 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the Sienna Room at Tuscany Falls for all PebbleCreek residents. Cost for AARP members is $15 and for non-members, the cost is $20. Checks for the class should be made payable to AARP.

Safety techniques and driving principles will be explained in the class. Some auto insurers do give a discount upon completion of the class, so please check with your insurance carrier. It is well worth the time and cost. A certificate of completion will be distributed at the end of the class.

A sign-up sheet is in the Kare Bears folder at the Community Information Mailbox across from the Eagle’s Nest Pro Shop.

Any questions, please call the Kare Bears house at 536-1200.