UYE @ Springs Preserve

I came looking like a bum because I just rolled out of bed. But hey my Saturday mornings since watching cartoons as a baby have been like this. Why did we not walk the whole place? I swore there was more to this that just the spots we visited?
Oh well, company was still fun. I met a lot of new faces, probably gave a horrible first impression. Oh wait no, someone else definitely beats me to it. But before the event I did get home at 4am, woke up at 7 starving, fell back asleep, then contemplated flaking at 9:30 when I woke up in bed again.
I’d like to thank Cathy for the free tickets. The most enjoyable part to me was the live animal exhibition. There was a bird that could sing and a llama that didn’t shit on stage. It would have been cool if the bird sang on the llama’s head.
Other enjoyable parts of Springs Preserve were the live animal exhibits. There was also casings that held a Black Widow and a Brown Recluse. Those spiders are dangerrrr.
Again, it was really nice to meet everyone new and everyone I already knew. Props to those whose first, second, or otherwise third event this may be. Welcome to the Unilocal community events!

Thank you very much Cathy, this was a fun day. I’m late writing my review and posting photos, but better late than never, right? It was great meeting a bunch of new (to me) Unilocalers and seeing some familiar ones. It was fun checking out Springs Preserve and seeing the animal show. I have been here once before, but never saw the animals somehow. The CSI lab thing was a little morbid, but if I was a kid, I’d have probably dug it. Even as an adult, it was sorta cool. Had a lot of fun here and also at Mundo afterwards. Mmm, that place was good. Thanks again, it was great hanging out with you all!

Don’t have much to add that the other awesome Unilocalers didn’t already write but wanted to share a quick story…
After we snapped our group pic on the stage, a woman approached me and asked me where I was from. She assumed that we were a tour group with our name tags. I answered that we were Unilocalers on a UYE and she replied that she uses Unilocal often. Jade W. and I proceeded to let her know about the social community aspect on Unilocal as well. She then said that we looked like «a big family», and to that Jade and I simultaneously replied…“we kinda are”.
Thanks again Cathy for organizing this get together on a beautiful Saturday. It is rare that I get to go to UYE’s because of my kiddos, so this was definitely a nice treat to reconnect with my Unilocaling family, and meet new ones! My kids also had a blast! I had been to Springs Preserve only once and that was years ago. I completely forgot what a great exhibit it is, and that there is still so much more to explore.

This was such a great way to meet new people, and see dead bodies (at the CSI exhibit).
Cathy was so great as to invite us to the Springs Preserve for a wonderful morning full of fun people and interesting animals! I’d never been to the animal portion or the CSI area of this place, so it was really a nice treat to get to finally do it. I love the Springs Preserve– try to go there at least once a year– and it never fails to be a great time.
Everyone was really cool and open to meeting us, so it was really nice to finally get to see some of the people I’ve seen online but never before in person.
I can’t wait to see everyone at other events!

Totally cool event. All of the Unilocalers that showed up to this UYE were perfectly nice. All of them — even the Jr. Unilocalers were well behaved.
It was an absolute joy to meet so many Unilocalers that I have known as Talk regulars but had never met in real life — Cathy, Nelson, Anthony, Mario, Kevin, Mel, — Sylvia, Stephanie, Melinda, Jade, and Angela, although these latter lovely ladies I only had the opportunity to speak to briefly, unfortunately, — and although not a Unilocaler as far as I can ascertain, Sheri (Melinda’s friend) was a joy and a hoot throughout and the experience she shared at the arthropods exhibit about her unfortunate run-​in with a brown recluse spider was unforgettable.
We showed up late because I parked at the plant sale lot instead of the closer lots — the walk was relatively long and winding, although it was very nice outside. I was afraid that the group would have already moved passed ticketing — but I was sure I could find a huge adult field trip so I was not that too concerning. On the same note, Cathy could have a tyrant UYE host and demanded pushups for each minute I was late by – (That would have been fun.) — but Cathy is as sweet as koolaid as served in the U.S. South.
Basically, I attended this event without knowing anyone that was going and yet was welcomed warmly; a testament to anyone who might be on the sidelines, self-​imposed, of event because they are apprehensive about going when they know no one.
Thank you Cathy, as well as everyone else, for making this such a good event. — E

Thank you for the tickets Cathy, thank you everyone for the fun times… but ya’ll ducked out early and missed out on some of the best part of my day at least in terms of attractions. Everyones company is always priceless and the best part of any day, but the exploring things and taking time to read everything was cool too.
Food won over wandering all of the park. I did however walk on the trails, checked out the desert living center, went to the botanical gardens, browsed the library and gift shop alone after everyone left for Mundo. I sat in the botanical gardens for an hour with my headphones on. I woke up too early and rode the bus down to not see everything I can. Maybe lunch first and then museum if we do a different place? That way catching up can be done, tummies full then maybe we can walk slower and read exhibits since we arent hurrying for anything?
Anyways rewind back to the group activities — we went to the Origen Museum and watched a animal show. Origen was smaller than I imagined and just alright. Animal show was cute, there was this crazy ass parrot who just wanted to talk that it kept talking, laughing and squeaking even when not spoken to.
Anyways thorough review of what I saw will be in the business listing instead of the UYE listing.
Thanks again!

Always a great time gathering with Unilocalers in what seems to be the year of the UYE! There’s a bunch planned every month nowadays, and Unilocalers can pick and chose whatever event they want to attend.
Cathy’s event at Springs Preserve was a great one with a great turnout as well (25 – 30 people!) and I also got to meet Edwin P., Colleen T., and Melinda N. in person and reunite with other fellow Unilocalers too.
You could seriously get lost in this place as there are lots of rooms to check out-​Recycled Fashion, Crime Scene Insects, Stages of Death, Flash Flood Exhibit and even more. With kids coming here, I wonder if they’d get freaky dreams of seeing graphic/​gross images here???
We also went to the ampitheatre outside where they were showcasing animals of South America which was also cool to see… Lions, Tigers, and Bears, I mean Llamas, Kikajus (sp?), and Condors, oh my!!! That talking, singing parrot was hilarious too! We’ll definitely be back to check it out again, and even the State Museum next door… ALOHA!!!
Unilocal 100 CHALLENGE 2013−(65÷100) «Springtime Gathering at the Springs Preserve»

The Springs Preserve is known for preserving plant life and a desert ecosystem. Yesterday, when Cathy. C held the UYE at Springs Preserve, it preserved Unilocal friendships and grew new ones.
Ever since I saw the «UYE at Springs Preserve» appear on the Unilocal welcome screen, I was determined to make this my third UYE event. I was so determined that I made a dive into Unilocal Talk to put the word out that I wanted in on this event. It wasn’t going to be easy. All the free tickets were sold out. Cathy. C let me know that she was sorry that the free tickets were gone but I was welcome to join them. I give Cathy. C a shout out for responding to my messages and making me feel welcome joining them at the event. I did not mind paying $ 10. Within a couple of weeks, people canceled out and my brother and I were able to get into the event at zero cost.
My brother and I arrived at the event ten minutes early. This is a good thing because the main entrance was closed for construction. We had to take a detour to a temporary entrance by the State Building. It was easy to find the Unilocalers because Unilocalers are always friendly.
On my second time meeting Cathy, she was very friendly. We joked about Unilocal Talk. Cathy gave each of us a Unilocal sticker to wear. This was very helpful. As we waited to get in the park, I chatted with Lesley, Mike, and the newest Unilocaler Allen.
Springs Preserve is a huge place. It extends from Valley View to the Rancho exit. It would be a whole day to see the whole place. We focused on the museum complex.
The museum complex is an interesting place. We saw exhibits that talked about insects, CYE, and recycling fashion wear. These interesting exhibits facilitated discussions. I remember talking to Jade, Mike, and Mario. When I saw Mario’s Yankees shirt, right off the bat, I knew we had something in common. It was our New York heritage.
We walked outside to a small zoo showcasing turtles, rabbits, snakes, and turtles. This is where we took UYE pictures and shared more good times. There was funny moments where a few Unilocalers were sticking there heads into what looks like pop up bubbles.
From the small zoo, we walked through the museum to a grassy area where we saw the Wild South American Animal Show. Being the always thirsty guy that I am, I walked upstairs to the Spring’s Café to pick up a Coke.
I did not miss a moment of the show. The animal show featured a parrot and Cusco the llama. The parot sang «Old McDonald Had A Farm» and «Happy Birthday.» It was Cusco the llama that was the star of the Unilocalers. It is funny how Unilocaler minds think alike. After the UYE, there are comments about Cusco the llama being renamed to The «Cusco the anti drama llama.» I have thought about creating a business listing for Unilocal Talk Las Vegas. If I do, «Cusco the anti drama llama» will be the store front photo. The show also featured a candor.
At UYE events, Unilocalers have fun. When you have fun, time goes fast. After the show, we participated in a group photo. Then we returned to the museum complex.
After the Springs Preserve part of the UYE concluded, the good times resumed at Mundo (in the Furniture Center at Grand Central and Clark). My brother and I got there a bit later. When we rejoined with the group, we sat by Allen, Kevin. P, Melinda, and Sheri. Over a couple of tequilas (that was what we drank at my end of the table) we bonded. I enjoyed talking to Kevin about WWE wrestling. I enjoyed talking to Allen about psychology. And I enjoyed talking to Melinda and Sheri about hiking and haunted places. Its not just the UYEs that are special, it is also when we get together afterwards.
I am so happy to have attended this event. I give everybody that attended it an Internet high-​five. And I give Cathy. C a special shout out for hosting it and making me feel welcome.
***The Unilocal 100 Challenge. Review 64 out of 100***

Saturday morning, nice group of Unilocalers meeting up at the entrance. Perfect weather on a nice day for a walk. Walking to the entrance, there is tons of greenery and it looks like your walking through a ravine with boulders carved to look like canyons.
After getting stamped, our first exhibit was a csi section with the history of forensic investigation. What was really cool was that most of the exhibit centered around bugs that are involved in dead bodies like various flies and beatles. They also had live bugs in cases. They also had a strobing light that showed the life cycle of a fly.
Outside, after taking a group photo, we went into a Western train exhibit showing how the trains were one of the building blocks of Vegas. They also had a «train» that we could walk through with various trinkets inside.
Outside, they had a small playground for kids.
Right near there was a small animal area with bugs.
After leaving the exhibit, we sat at an amphitheater to see a live animal show. We saw parrots, and a giant rat-​kangaroo looking thing, a kinkajou, a talking parrot which laughed and cracked up everyone in the audience. It even sung happy birthday. We saw a llama, and a huge condor.
Afterwards we went to mundo for lunch.
Great event!

To write or not to write a review for my own UYE? To give or not to give 5 stars for my own UYE? *checks Unilocal policies*
Clear! Good to go. 80% who signed up showed up which I already expected since I do event planning for a living (at least part of it). And for the most part, everyone came on time. Good people, good times. The weather was mild and sunny with no chances of drama (ain’t nobody got time fo dat!!!)…just how I like it! Instead of drama, there was a llama and he was cute.
Seeing Unilocalers with kids and Unilocalers who are big kids made organizing this event worth it. We were all laughing and chatting. Springs Preserve changes their exhibits and layout from time to time — it doesn’t take much to confuse me and I was disoriented at my own event. LOL.
Thanks to all you cool peeps that showed up: Angela, Melinda (and her hilarious guest, Sherrie?), Anthony, Kevin, Mario, Stephanie (and Santiago), Rosemarie, Lucy, Nelson, Sylvia, Allen, Michael, Edwin, Colleen, Jade, Mel, Lindsey and Daniel. The day concluded at Mundo… yum!

Cathy C’s UYE at Springs Preserve
Springs Preserve on a nice Saturday afternoon = 5 Stars
Springs Preserve with a free entrance = 5 Stars
Springs Preserve UYE with no drama = 5 Stars
Springs Preserve with Unilocal friends = Priceless
This review is strictly for the UYE itself.
Let’s start out with the price… gratis baby!!! That means free, zilch, nada, and zero if you were wondering. But the day was so good today that even if I didn’t have a free ticket, I would have attended to spend a nice Saturday with some of my Unilocal friends.
The event started with meeting and greeting everyone. Everyone was on time, even Flips like me made it on time. Okay, I was 5 minutes late, but that’s early for me. Cathy C hosted this UYE and gave everyone pre-​made name badges with the Unilocal insignia on it. It’s now becoming a normal thing for Unilocal badges during UYE’s. It sure helps to identify other Unilocalers if you haven’t met them before.
As for the actual UYE, we started with the CSI exhibit and ended it with their mini zoo. In between was picture taking of our huge group (30+), the Animal Show (Llamas and Condors), the San Pedro Train Exhibit (Beat Street Breakdown!!), and my favorite the Café (Food!!).
Overall, I had another great time with my fellow Unilocal peeps.
A special thanks to Cathy C;
aka today’s UYE Host,
aka the Duchess of Everything,
aka my neighbor, and
aka one cool person that I finally met for the first time.
PS: STR (Second to Review)!!!