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By Mike Vergara, (951) 461-2889 In "normal" times, July begins the summer star-party season. Although the sky does not get dark until later, the nights are warm, the sky is clear and there are many nice objects for viewing. I have three favorite objects for this time of year, all requiring a telescope or binoculars. High overhead is the constellation Hercules, wherein you can find the globular cluster M15 (the 'M' stands for Charles Messier, the French astronomer who cataloged this object). M15 is a cluster of stars that is orbiting the Milky Way. Then there's the Ring Nebula (M57) in the constellation Lyra. Photographs of the Ring show very beautiful colors, but to your eye it will look like a gray smoke ring. That's because our eyes cannot take time exposures, and the colors are too dim to stimulate the color receptors in our eyes. Last is the star Albireo in the constellation of Cygnus the swan. Albireo is a visual double star; one a bright blue and the other a blazing yellow. There are several organizations that do star parties and other forms of outreach in our area. The local club is called TVA, or Temecula Valley Astronomers. Their web site is at http://www. temeculavalleyastronomers.com. The club normally provides star parties for schools, private organizations and the public. While currently suspended, keep checking their web site as they might restart their programs. I also recommend the Palomar College Planetarium. While currently closed, we normally present a live "Sky Tonight" session every Friday at 7 pm, followed by a short astronomy- related movie at 8:15 pm. Cost is $6, $4 for seniors. Visit http://skymaps.com/index.html to print your own map of the sky for the month to help you find these constellations. Clear skies! July Sky July Sky 20 | THE COLONY NEWS | JULY 2021 | COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD By Sharon Boll, Chair This program, designed to deliver meals to Colony seniors, was originally set up by Activities Director Kara Hardy at the beginning of the pandemic period in March 2020. At that time, there were 70 participants. After 15 months, we are still delivering meals to more than 30 residents. The following resident volunteers assist in bagging up and delivering the meals: Lynda Shatsky, Co-Chair, Barbara Allen, Gloria Carroll, Barbara Dricker, Jackie Franklin, Harriet Henderson, Ellen Micheli, Alyce Mitchum, and Vera Maurer. Senior Meal Program Hello, Colony residents! Summer is here, but there is still time to do planting in our gardens. I still have some vegetable seeds, and I would love to share them with you. Some of these seeds I have collected from my own garden, and some come from my LARGE collection of seeds. Only a few packs left, don't wait! Happy gardening! ~ Katie Burchard, Colony Staff Member From My Backyard Garden to Yours