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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2026 5 By Georgeann Wellfare, Vets & Friends Secretary November is here, and at Veterans & Friends, that means it's time to honor our veterans, help those in need, and, of course, find a good excuse to eat! Please join us on Wed., Nov. 11, for our annual Veterans Day Luncheon. This year's celebration will include the presentation of donations raised through our 2026 fundraising efforts. These contributions will support veterans, organizations serving veterans, and organizations helping those in need. Every donation represents the generosity of our community and the many residents who have supported our events throughout the year. And then there is the food! Our popular BBQ luncheon will be served, because good food and good friends have always been a winning combination at Veterans & Friends. We will also be honored to have the SDV Quilters Club present Quilts of Valor, beautiful handmade quilts given as a heartfelt expression of appreciation to veterans for their service and sacrifice. Envelopes to sign up and pay are at our table in the Lodge lobby. The giving continues with our Annual Food Drive. Donation boxes will be located in the lobby throughout the drive in November. Please consider picking up a few extra items during your next grocery trip. A can, a box or a bag may seem small, but when our entire community joins in, those small contributions become a very big helping hand. And we already know how generous this community can be! Then comes Thanksgiving, when we gather with family and friends, eat far too much, and somehow find room for pie. It's also the one holiday where eating leftovers for three days is not only acceptable, it's practically a tradition. Happy Veterans Day and Happy Thanksgiving! By Tina Pauro – Emergency Preparedness Advisory Committee (EPAC) Most of us rarely think about electricity — until it suddenly isn't there. Whether caused by severe weather, equipment failure, or a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), losing power can disrupt everyday life. While many outages last only a few hours, others can continue much longer. Fortunately, a little preparation can make the experience far less stressful. One of the biggest mistakes people make during an outage is repeatedly opening the refrigerator. Every time the door opens, cold air escapes and food warms more quickly. A closed refrigerator will generally keep food cold for about four hours, while a full freezer can often maintain its temperature for up to 48 hours. If you receive advance notice of a PSPS, freezing a few containers of water ahead of time can help the freezer stay cold longer. When an outage is expected, charge your cell phone, tablet, laptop, rechargeable flashlights, and portable battery banks. A fully charged power bank can recharge your phone several times and help you stay connected if the outage continues overnight. Keep flashlights or rechargeable lanterns where they're easy to find — in the bedroom, kitchen, and garage. Avoid using traditional candles whenever possible, as they create an unnecessary fire hazard. Battery-operated flameless candles provide a much safer alternative. If your home has an automatic garage door opener, take a few minutes to learn how to operate it manually. Knowing where the emergency release cord is — and how to use it — can save valuable time if you need to leave home while the power is out. Power outages may also affect internet service, cordless home phones, security systems, electric gates, and some medical equipment. If you rely on electricity for a CPAP machine, oxygen concentrator, refrigerated medication, or other essential medical devices, have a backup plan before an outage occurs. Portable generators can provide temporary power, but they must always be operated outdoors and well away from doors, windows, and garages. Never use one inside your home, as carbon monoxide is odorless, invisible, and can be deadly. When power is restored, consider plugging sensitive electronics back in gradually to reduce the chance of damage from power surges. And don't forget to check on neighbors who may need assistance, especially older adults or those with medical concerns. Power outages are an inconvenience, but they don't have to become a crisis. A few simple preparations made today can help keep you comfortable, connected, and ready until the lights come back on. EPAC Provided Charging Stations in the event of a power outage: • 1640 Paseo Diamonte (Solera Diamond Valley Lodge) • 5067 Corte Cercado (Residence of Gregg Tyler) • 5676 Corte Vallarta (Residence of Terry McNicholas) WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT Preparing for a Power Outage or Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Veterans & Friends, SDV

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