GlenbrookeNews was started in August 2009 (see first post below).  Here is a snapshot of that point in time.

Jim and I were new to Glenbrooke and Elk Grove - we did not know a single soul.   My world had been turned upside down 2 years earlier with a major brain injury resulting in many cognitive, and visual deficits, and limited mobility.  I required Bailey, my wonderful service dog, just to be able to go out of the house.    I was tired of  rehabilitation exercises that seemed demeaning and boring  - and I was scared I was no use to anyone.   GlenbrookeNews helped me adjust to who I am today.  Obviously I will never be the same as before the stroke.  Today, I  accept that.  I am a work in progress and am grateful for every day.

But, back to 2009...

On August 12, 2009,  Glenbrooke Board of Directors passed a ‘media policy’   that left a huge void for communicating with neighbors, learning about community events at large, discussing and  adjusting to living in an HOA, exchanging information on a timely basis or working through the bumps in a newly formed community. (Read that Board Resolution HERE).

So with  the encouragement of my dear Redding friend, Doni Chamberlain, of ANewsCafe and the support of  Jim, I started ‘my little neighborhood blog’  On August 20, 2009.     My vision was for  GlenbrookeNews to fill a void left by the new policy, to help me with cognitive skills and hopefully to help neighbors get to know each other  and build a stronger community.

Because of the wonderful support from neighbors and contributors, we grew a surprising amount each year  averaging 92 page views per day (pvpd) for that first 6 month period.   In 2010 we averaged 151 pvpd; 2011 showed growth to 194 pvpd; then in 2012 we jumped to 262 VPD.  For the first three months in 2013 we averaged 349 page views per day!

I was hoping that I would be able to continue publishing GlenbrookeNews until the neighborhood was  fully built out; but Glenbrooke is a very busy place.

We’ve made many new friends and I am blessed to  have two new knees that allow me to walk (with the other hip replacement  scheduled July 1st).    We recently moved into a larger house in Glenbrooke and I am really enjoying  it, the backyard, porch and my new elevated garden beds.

Oh, and did I mention we are getting a new puppy?   Yes, now that Bailey doesn’t need to go everywhere with me - she gets so lonely!   Yes, it will be whippet,  a girl,  the estimated whelping date is 7/13/13.   I have been waiting 2 years for this breeding:)

So you can see GlenbrookeNews is no longer the only thing to occupying  my time.   My world has now expanded outside the neighborhood and it’s time to move on and  live my life to the fullest.

Again, thanks to everyone who contributed, suggested a story, read, or commented on GlenbrookeNews.

All the best,

Darcie Gore

P.S.   Don’t forget to register for Meetup.com  Glenbrooke Fun Lovers to see all the events, parties and trips that neighbors are enjoying that are not part of the Association.   Click HERE to join- its free

FIRST POST:

Welcome to first edition of the GlenbrookeNews!

We are so excited to have one, interactive place for all of our GlenbrookeNews. This website is designed with one purpose in mind; to bring neighbors together by sharing news, events, knowledge, ideas and resources.

Not only will you be able to find all the “happenings” of Glenbrooke- including the Arbour Lodge and Homeowners Association schedules and documents, but you will also have links to Elk Grove City Hall, Parks and Recreation, Senior Centers and any other organizations or agencies that are of interest to our residents.

We will have information on farmers markets, special events, movies (schedules and previews), weather, sections on food, travel, health and fitness, fun and games, quotes of the day, recipes, neighborhood voices, business and finance, bloggers, and a focus section where we get to know our neighbors better.

GlenbrookeNews will also have a forum section in the near future.  That will be where residents can exchange ideas, advertise a car for sale, find someone to play scrabble or billiards or start a new group.

There is so much more planned.  But this is YOUR GlenbrookeNews so tell us what you would like to see on this website.  Obviously, the more people contributing the more  interesting the site will be.  So please, add your ideas below.  If you see an event happening in town, or are celebrating a milestone, shoot us an email.  We would like know about it.Because of the wonderful support from neighbors and contributors, we grew a surprising amount each year  averaging 92 page views per day (pvpd) for that first 6 month period.   In 2010 we averaged 151 pvpd; 2011 showed growth to 194 pvpd; then in 2012 we jumped to 262 page views per day.    Thank you readers,  I am truly humbled by by your readership and am especially grateful to those that contributed articles, opinions, jokes, recipes and comments.   You are what made GlenbrookeNews interactive and interesting.

Karin and I are out on our morning walk, and a truck speeds by.

“I bet they’re going to work on the fence,” Karin says.

“Whose fence?” I ask.

“You know.… Down there,” she waves her arm, “near the end of the street.”

I picture the neighborhood, and take a guess. “You mean Gary’s?”

“Yes! That’s his name,” she says. “You coached their daughter.”

“Yeah, and her name is … ahhhh....”

“Salina,” Karin smiles. She’s pulled even in the try-to-pry-it-from-your-whipped-out-brain competition.

“Yeah, right,” I say. “So just give me a minute, OK? I was getting there.”

She shoots me a victor’s smile.

“OK, smarty pants,” I ask, “what’s their last name?”

Karin studies her shoes.

“I know this is wrong,” I say, “but the first thing that comes to mind is Berg…”

“NO-NO-NO. Don’t say it.” Karin holds up her hand. “You’ll just mess up my mind.”

“Well I know it’s not Bergstrom.”

“Gee, that helps.” Her brow furrows.

The clock is running again. I try to visualize the old soccer roster, and then I repeat to myself, “Oh, look it’s Gary and Salina ….” And I pause, but no dice.

“Got it yet?” I ask.

Karin narrows her eyes. “All I can think is ‘It’s not Bergstrom.’”

“You’re right,” I say. “It’s not.” Then, somewhere inside my tired brain, a door opens and a name is whispered to me.

“Wait! Wait! I know,” I shout. “It’s either Strickler or Strickland.”

“It’s Strickler,” she says.

“That’s what I said.”

“You weren’t sure,” Karin looks at me and arches her eyebrows. “At least I knew it when I heard it.”

“So what were you saying about the Stricklers?”

She looks confused.

“The truck?” I prompted.

“What about their truck?”

“The one that drove by?”

“Oh, that,” she says. “Yeah. I think they’re building a fence.”

Maybe we both need a bit more coffee before we walk.

***

Karin and I have been together more than 30 years, and usually, between the two of us, we can coax enough information out of our noggins to get by. Sometimes, though, it can be fun watching your partner sweat, trying to remember something important. Years ago I pulled one of my favorite pranks on Karin by sending her flowers, a box of chocolates, and a simple message:

“Do you remember what happened 12 years ago today?”

I made sure the flowers were delivered first thing in the morning.

And then, I waited.

Later, much later, I got the call. Karin thanked me profusely, and then said in a quiet, sheepish voice.

“Love, I thought about it all day, and …. I can’t remember. It wasn’t our first kiss. That was near Christmas. It wasn’t the first time I told you I love you, that was on Valentine’s Day. So what DID happen 12 years ago today?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” I said. “But I’m sure something important did happen, and I thought you’d be the one to remember.”

Now, I have to report that it’s a strange thing that you can send a woman flowers and chocolates and have her get mad at you.

Well, miffed anyway.

But she kept the flowers.

We tease each other now and then on our trips down Memory Lane. But lately the potholes are getting bigger, and even with the two of watching out for one another, we can stumble.

So it took us half a block to remember a name to convey a simple thought. And that’s not all. On this very same walk, we shuffled another 50 feet when I fell into my next memory pothole.

We saw a dog bolt past an electrical pet-fence and into the street.

“Oh, oh” Karin said. “Katie’s not wearing her training collar.”

I looked at the pooch. It was prancing about, wagging its tail. “Isn’t she called Sara?” I asked.

“No,” Karin rolled her eyes. “That’s their daughter’s name.”

“Oh,” I pointed at the house. “But they’re still Jill-and-Dave? Right?”

“Yes,” Karin nodded, “still.”

“And their son… His name is the same as Lynda-and-Dave’s on the corner.”

“Good for you,” Karin said, and then tilted her head expectantly.

I strained, but again, nothing. I saw Karin’s little half-smile again.

“Brian,” she said.

“Well triple bonus-points for you,” I said. “But should we call Jill-and-Dave about Katie?”

Karin nodded. “But I don’t have my phone.”

“I’ve got mine. What’s the number?”

Karin scrunched up her face.

“It’s a really easy number,” she said.

“Great. What is it?”

She shrugged. “I can’t tell you, but I remember that it’s easy to remember.’

We both cracked up, and I gave Karin a hug. Katie dashed back into her yard, and we continued our walk.

“I think we’d better stencil your phone number in your underwear,” I said.

“And your name in yours,” Karin replied.

I laughed.

“This reminds me of the yarn about the guy, his garden and the thorn bush. Heard it?” I asked. “It’s great.”

“Well then, tell it.”

“OK. An old gardener takes a walk with his wife and another couple. The man is chatting with his new friends, describing his flower garden. He says, ‘In the front, I’ve got a row of those big yellow flowers. Oh, bother. What-cha-call-em? You know, the ones with seeds you can eat.’”

“His friend says. ‘Sunflower?’ And the guys says, ‘Yeah that’s it.’”

“Then the guy says, ‘And I’ve got these vines that are just taking over everything. Oh, blast. What-cha-call-em? They’re purple and the bees love ‘em.?’”

“His friend says, ‘Vinca?’ And the guy says, ‘Yeah that’s it.’”

“And finally the guys says. ‘But my favorites are up against the house. Oh, brother. What-cha-call-em?’ The guy stops, takes his friend by the collar and asks urgently. ‘Tell me, what are those bushes with thorns?’”

“His friend says, ‘Rose?’ And the guys says. ‘Yeah, that’s it,’ and then he turns to his wife and says: “Hey, Rose, what do you call those flowers up against the house?”

I waited for a reaction, and Karin smiled.

“You know,” she said, “I’m the one who told you that joke.”

“Oh really?” I’m crestfallen. “Then why’d you let me repeat it?”

“Well,” she squeezed my hand. “I don’t mind hearing it again.”

“How kind.”

“That,” she smiled, “and I’d forgotten the punch line.”

Robb has enjoyed writing and performing since he was a child, and many of his earliest performances earned him a special recognition-reserved seating in the principal’s office at Highland Elementary. Since then, in addition to his weekly column on A News Cafe - "Or So it Seems™" - Robb has written news and features for The Bakersfield Californian, appeared on stage as an opening stand-up act in Reno, and his writing has been published in the Funny Times. His short stories have won honorable mention national competition. His screenplay, “One Little Indian,” Was a top-ten finalist in the Writer’s Digest competition. He has two humor books in print, The Doggone Christmas List and The Stupid Minivan. Robb presently lives, writes and teaches in Shasta County, Northern California.

The Elk Grove Police Department held it’s second meeting of the year.  They had us view a video showing what to do in an “active shooting” situation.  It suggested that escape was the main goal—get out of harms way.  Run-Hide-Fight  see www.readyhoustontx.gov if you would like to view this video.

They trends in criminal activity lately…

---Copper thefts mainly from street-lights—the criminals are using trucks and cones to look like the real workers.

---Catalytic Converters are still a hot item for theft.

Jiffy Lube will be etching/painting converters between 10AM and 5 Pm on Saturday, June 4

---Purses—they are seeing at least 4 thefts per week, mostly from the shopping cart.

Don’t hide your purse in the car—if they see you exit your car without a purse,   they think it’s in the car or the trunk—remember most cars have trunk releases.

They are also using a bump or distraction method when 2 thieves are working together.

---ID theft is still the #1 crime in the country!!!

Animal Control is now part of the Police Department.

It’s kitten season…

There is a “Trap-Neuter-Return Program”. The idea is to bring the feral/stray cats in and spay/neuter, and vaccinate for free and return them to where they were found.   This keeps other cats out of a territory already marked—no more new kittens.   If you are interested in this program, call Elk Grove Animal Services at 916-687-3042.

On June 22nd there will be the 2nd Annual Dog Days Summer Picnic at Elk Grove Regional Park. From 10:00AM to 1:00PM.  It’s a free BBQ.  For more information go to www.elkgrovecity.org/calendar/printables/2013/06-22-13-dog-days.pdf

“Project Lifesaver” information was again presented. This is a free program offered to residents who might wander away because of Alzheimer’s, autism, Down Syndrome,  dementia, or other cognitive conditions and not know how to get safely home.    If you have a family member that lives in Elk Grove with such a problem, contact  Elk Grove Police “Project Lifesaver” at 916-478-8147 or email to projectlifesaver@elkgrovepd.org for more information.

SAVE  THE DATE!!  NATIONAL NIGHT IS TUESDAY AUGUST 6TH---More information later.

The cost is $20.00 per class.

This meeting has been added to the previous yearly schedule.    The previous Board of Directors only met quarterly and it appears the new board is going to be meeting every other month.

About 7 P.M., after getting home from another event I thought I'll take a trip to the lodge and see how the Bocce game is going. As I walked out on he patio there was a neighborhood group having dinner and what seemed to be a fun time. Wandered on to the Bocce courts where games were going on, people visiting, laughing, drinking & eating, actually out of control!

What a sight to see, using our facilities as they were meant to be used. I'm thinking....isn't this nice. No long term planning or scheduling. If you have an idea for a meet-up, just post on .http://www.meetup.com/Glenbrooke-Fun-Lovers .

Darcie said, FOR EXAMPLE ONLY......anyone for an "In & Out" burger at 1 P.M. meet-up today or tomorrow & you're on! Bocce this afternoon at 3 .P.M., need 8 for a game and Bocce Barb (lol) will lead the way. This fits my schedule as I'm not a fan of long-term planning such as signing up for events a month in advance. That's reserved for weddings

.Since we're short on space, this could be our answer. I do realize that as time goes by use of our facilities will most likely decrease as we tire of the same o', same o' events and start looking for something new to do.

Twilight Music II

Twilight Music II
Wednesday, July 31: 7 - 8:30 PM
Your favorite duo is back! AndersonGram! They will be playing many of your
favorite folk tunes as you relax on the
Arbour Lodge patio and watch the sunset during our warm
summer evenings. Their song list includes hits from Johnny
Cash, Fleetwood Mac, and more!
$5 per person

The cost is $5.00 and sign ups are in the Arbour Lodge for this  Wednesday,May 29th event.    This music starts at 7:00PM and is inside the ballroom, so even if it is a little too warm to be outside you can be comfortable enjoying the music that includes hits from Dean Martin, jazz favorites, and those golden oldies.