Learn more about Arizona through LLL programs
Whether you’re a long-time resident of PebbleCreek or just moved here, there is always something new to learn about the issues unique to our area. This year LifeLong Learning at PebbleCreek has several lectures, classes and trips to introduce and educate about things uniquely Arizona, listed here in chronological order.
Verde Canyon Railroad
The 20-mile journey through 100 years of history is one of Arizona’s top destinations. Join the LifeLong Learning trip for the ride and dinner and a cowboy show at the Blazin’ M. Ranch Wednesday, November 16.
Drought in the Southwest
According to the Arizona State Climate Office, we are now in the twenty-first year of a long-term drought, far longer than the normal seven to eight year cycle. What does this mean for the future and what is being done to protect our water supply? Tom Buschatzke, director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, is the Monday Morning Lecture speaker January 9.
Arizona History
Learn what happened in Arizona before you moved here from Fred Williams at a one-session class Tuesday, February 7.
Amazon and the Goodyear Water Reclamation Facility
This season’s trip to Amazon includes a chance to learn how 5.5 million gallons of wastewater is returned to the groundwater reservoirs each day, Friday, February 10.
Hickman Egg Farm
After last season’s informative lecture about the Duncan Family Farms, we are once again reaching out to one of our neighboring families, the Hickmans, to learn how this third-generation family-owned business grew from a few hens in the backyard to almost five million hens this year. Sharman Hickman is the Monday Morning Lecture speaker February 20.
Birds of PebbleCreek and Vicinity
Learn how to identify the birds in your backyard and area parks and farms without leaving the community in this one-session class Thursday, February 23.
Agritopia
Right in the heart of Gilbert is a village built around a farm, where lambs play on the common greens and residents can pick heirloom tomatoes for dinner. It is gaining national attention. Visit with LifeLong Learning on Friday, March 3.
Cacti
Master Gardener Jim Oravetz returns for a single-session course to teach us where to plant and how to care for cacti in our yards. Saturday, March 4.
Valley Fever
Everyone who lives in the desert is susceptible to contract Valley Fever, a disease of the lungs, caused by fungus spores growing in the soil that become airborne when the soil is disturbed by wind, construction and other activities. John Galgiani, M.D., director of the Valley Fever Center for Excellence, will teach us about this disease that affects humans and pets at the Monday Morning Lecture March 6.
Los Cedros
If you love horses, you won’t want to miss this trip to one of the finest performance-horse training facilities in the world. You will feel as though you stepped into a Moroccan village as you enter the compound. Wednesday, April 5.
LLL Center taking shape as fundraising begins to complete it
Thanks to the HOA, LifeLong Learning is now using the former dance studio for office, team meeting and classroom space, a benefit not just for LLL but for the entire community as other organizations and card groups will have more than 70 hours available to them in the Tuscany Falls Clubhouse—hours reserved by LLL in previous seasons.
To meet the various needs the room will serve, it is being equipped as a state-of-the art multipurpose room. LLL is using part of its reserve to order some of the chairs, tables and equipment needed, but it needs additional funds to complete the furnishings and enable LLL to function fully in the room.
With a team of more than 80 residents, (yes, that’s 80!) LifeLong Learning depends entirely on volunteers to run its programs. The coming season will have 16 Monday Morning Lectures, six Premier Lectures, six Ted Talk discussions, 15 trips and 25 classes including five sessions of Great Decisions. Because of the volunteers, the lecture tickets will remain at the same cost, while many class costs will be lower since they will meet in the LLL Center.
Our mission is to continue to create and schedule exciting educational opportunities for the residents of PebbleCreek, increasing the quality of the programs while keeping costs low. We hope you consider partnering with LifeLong Learning to help us achieve our goals.
LifeLong Learning is a 503 (c) (3) nonprofit, which means your donations are tax deductible. Donations may be made to the General LLL Fund to support its programs, the LLL Center Furnishing Fund to help us complete the furnishing of the LLL Center or a donation to fund a specific item on the list below.
Have questions? Please contact Kathy Gorchesky, fundraising team leader, at 928-221-7837, [email protected] or Ted Ingalls, LLL Facility Manager at 623-889-1066, [email protected]. Donations may be made online at www.lifelonglearningatpc.org.
* Classroom tables – $800 each
* Classroom or lecture chairs – $250 each
* Teacher table – $570
* White board on rolling frame – $450
* Two easels on wheels with magnetic holder – $175 each
* Copier/printer – $165
* Office area table – $750
* Two desk chairs – $265 each
* Two file cabinets – $165 each
* Desk top computer and monitor – $1300
* Two stools for sales counter – $300
* Sound amplification system – $1100
* Coffee service including all start-up supplies – $250
* Reception area table – $150
* Two outside A-Frame signs with replaceable inserts – $250 each