Desert Mountain Connection Fall 2020

Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner: R. Short for Hawk Landing

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Editor Kevin Pollock

President’s Letter by Mike Klonoski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Executive Director’s Corner by Kevin Pollock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Master Association Update by Kevin Pollock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Communication and Marketing Committee Ron Helm, Chair Helen Hemphill, Member Joanne Klonoski, Member Deborah McIntyre, Member Sharon Wong, Member

by Helen Hemphill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Magazine Layout T&T Creative Specialties Barbara Rodriguez

Birding at Desert Mountain by Susan Sridharan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Desert Mountain Master Association Main Gate: 480-635-5630 Main Office Line: 480-635-5600 Main Office Fax: 480-488-7484 Design Review: 480-635-5605 Owners Services (OSB): 480-635-5610 DHE Gate: 480-635-5635 The Desert Mountain Connection is designed to help you be connected to Desert Mountain whether or not you are residing in the community.

Submission of community news, articles or photography for The Desert Mountain Connection should be sent to kpollock@desertmthoa.com. The Desert Mountain Connection is not responsible for the return of unsolicited materials.

The paid advertising contained herein does not represent the endorsement of the Desert Mountain Master Association.

Reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission is prohibited.

The Desert Mountain Connection is published by the Desert Mountain Master Association.

Printed in the USA. Copyright © 2020, The Desert Mountain Connection.

All rights reserved.

Please recycle.

Master Association Finances by Derek Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

New Entrance Monuments Bring Additional Art to Desert Mountain The New External Affairs Committee by Kevin Frawley . . . . . . . . . . . 11

The Mosaic at The Ranch by Bob Borsch and Tory Gillenwater with Drone Video by James Kolander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 The Desert Mountain Photo Contest Winners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

From the Ground Up by Wendy Whitman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Desert Mountain Real Estate Update by Power of 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

At Home: Home Décor Trends by Katherine Helm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Outdoor Living by Dan Wolski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Fun Facts About Carefree by Katherine Helm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

The Pros and Cons of e-Bikes by Ron Helm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Bocci Ball at Desert Mountain by Haven Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Practice Smarter to Improve Faster by Jennifer Tucker . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Four-Wheel Drive Adventures by Ron Helm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Resident Highlight—Liz Draeger by Joanne Klonoski . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

A thank you from the Communication and Marketing Committee Chair: I thank Mike Klonoski, President of the DMMA, for working with and encouraging our team in our continual efforts to improve marketing and communication; we are lucky to have Mike as our President. I also want to thank our Committee Members, an amazing group of creative and talented individuals, that work so well as a team. I specifically want to thank Helen Hemphill whose writing and editing skills has helped lead our professional communications. Lastly, I thank DMMA staff for their –Ron Helm professionalism and continual support.

DesertMtCommunity.com | 3

Maintaining the Lifestyle You’ve Created

PRESIDENT’S LETTER Mike Klonoski, President

Desert Mountain Master Association

Dear Neighbor,

This is my first letter in our Connection Magazine as President of the Desert Mountain Master Association.

We find ourselves now in the midst of a global pandemic, supply chain shortfalls, social distancing protocols, and wide-spread civil unrest. We are experiencing truly challenging events that none of us will ever forget.

It seems sacrilegious to write an upbeat letter amid these local, national and global upheavals. Instead, let me present some facts about our community, together with a summary of the strategic actions the Master Association has taken to ensure our continued growth and prosperity.

It’s said that, “Home is where the heart is.” For many people, our homes are also significant assets. I’m pleased to say that Desert Mountain real estate has positive momentum with increasing sales velocity and escalating interest from off-mountain prospects. And our community is expanding—there are 81 homes under construction and another 45 in design review.

Concurrently, the Club has experienced very strong second-quarter membership sales, another indicator of our community’s desirability. Both the Master Association and the Club continue to work together to promote the success and vitality of our community.

In my April letter, I discussed two goals: marketing Desert Mountain and further strengthening our security. I am pleased to announce the addition of two new positions and two new committees that will add depth to our team and further these goals.

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The national search for Desert Mountain’s Director of Security position is currently ongoing.

This team member will assist Chief Security Officer Bill Fultz in managing the community’s

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security force. The candidate will have seniorlevel expertise in law enforcement and we hope to make a formal offer in the coming weeks.

Mark Lewis has joined the team in the newlycreated position of Owners Liaison. Mark will serve as a facilitator, assisting homeowners in navigating issues relating to design review, landscape improvements and new construction.

Improving customer service to our homeowners is critical, and is one more very important way we market our community.

The newly-created External Affairs Committee, headed by Kevin Frawley, is tasked with leveraging the size, scope and commercial power of the Desert Mountain community. We are an economic and political force and it is time officials and service providers recognize that.

The Communication Committee’s mission has been expanded. The new Communication and Marketing Committee will focus on providing timely, vibrant and topical information in digital and print format. They will improve the website to be more useful to residents and more impactful to non-residents who are considering making Desert Mountain their home.

Perhaps the silver lining of this spring’s events is our new appreciation of our location, our health, our families and our sense of community. Please remember to stay safe, observe all social-distancing guidelines, and of course, be kind to one another.

Take care and take heart.

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Leaving Town: • Car Transportation • Empty Refrigerator • Turn Down Water Heaters • Set Out Garbage • Dust Sheets on Furniture

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S CORNER Kevin Pollock, Executive Director PCAM, CAAM

First, Seven is NOT another village, and their owners are NOT members of our association—their Association is entirely separate from ours. Their developer is M3 Companies, and the legal name of the development is Seven Condominium Community. Their governing documents and design guidelines do not need to conform with DMMA’s.

Some owners have asked why they have certain design elements or a specific plant palette that is different than ours. It’s because they are a separate legal association.

Secondly, all homeowners in Seven will be either lifestyle or golf members of the Club. All lots in Seven are deed-restricted with a Club membership.

Therefore all property owners in Seven will be permitted access into Desert Mountain. And all Club

members are allowed access to Seven to enjoy the clubhouse and golf course (if they are golf members).

Although Seven homeowners are not members of our association, DMMA staff does manage their association. Seven pays DMMA for this service based on a percentage of its annual expenses so no additional costs are incurred by DMMA. It is a great deal for all parties. Seven gets a large professional management staff to assist in their day-to-day operations, and we are assured that Seven lives up to the brand and experience that is Desert Mountain. Additionally, we are able to have a connected security and gate access system providing a seamless experience for all.

We are excited to see the development moving along and look forward to welcoming new members into our community.

HOMEOWNERS IN SEVEN WILL BE EITHER LIFESTYLE OR GOLF MEMBERS OF THE CLUB 6 | Desert Mountain Connection

Kevin Pollock, Executive Director PCAM, CAAM

Seven Desert Mountain and its Relationship to our Community

The development of Seven Desert Mountain is moving along at a fast pace, and many of our owners have wondered what the relationship is to the Desert Mountain Master Association (DMMA). Is it another village? Are they members of our association? Are they members of the Club?

MASTER ASSOCIATION UPDATE

The COVID pandemic has forced all of us, including the Desert Mountain Master Association, to adapt to an ever-changing environment. Calculated changes were made to allow for staff to work remotely, and for meetings to be held via video conference. We feel these changes were necessary to ensure our residents and team members remained safe and healthy. Returning to previous models will be determined by public policy and recommendations from healthcare professionals. Even throughout the pandemic, the community has continued with scheduled projects that enhance the property and provide value to your homes.

OPERATIONS Roadwork Update

The Association continues the large roadmaintenance project throughout the community. The project began earlier in the year in the villages with asphalt repairs and crack-fill before moving to Desert Mountain Parkway. This summer, major concrete curb repairs and manhole adjustments were made along the Parkway, followed by a crack-fill and sealcoat. Because of the uncertain summer weather conditions, we conservatively anticipate the project to be complete by September 1. We hope to be able to move back into the villages after the Parkway is complete to finish the seal-coat project.

Village Monument Painting & Gate Painting Project

Unincorporated Villages: Apache Peak, Desert Hills, Desert Horizons, Lone Mountain I & II, Lost Star, Renegade Trail, Sonoran Cottages & Enclave, Sonoran Ridge, Cochise Geronimo, Desert Fairways, Desert Greens, Haciendas, Painted Sky, Rose Quartz and Sunset Canyon are all scheduled to have their entry monuments painted this year.

The villages of Apache Peak, Desert Hills, Desert Horizons, Lone Mountain I & II, Lost Star, Renegade Trail, Sonoran Cottages & Enclave and Sonoran Ridge will also have their entry gates painted at the same time.

The Master Board approved a proposal from Unforgettable Coatings; residents should see this work completed in late summer and early fall.

Incorporated Villages: Arrowhead, Cochise Ridge, Gambel Quail Preserve, Eagle Feather, Sunrise, Grey Fox, Mountain Skyline and Turquoise Ridge will also have entry monuments painted this year. All incorporated villages listed above except for Gambel Quail Preserve and Grey Fox will also have their gates painted.

Please be cautious entering and exiting your village as painters may be in the area.

Village Entrance Planting

Each year your village budget includes funds for new plantings at your village entrances. The Landscape and Infrastructure Committee inspected each village this spring/summer and provided input for proposals for installation in the fall. The goal is to provide “statement” pieces such as Saguaro and Yucca that will enhance your entry. Budgets for each village range from $500 to $10,000, depending on village needs and size. Be on the lookout for fresh upgrades to your village entry!

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MASTER ASSOCIATION UPDATE , continued SECURITY

Perimeter Security Project

The Safety & Access Committee presented their proposal to the Master Board for the Perimeter Security Project in June. The recommendations came in well under budget, and the Board approved the plan at their open meeting on June 29. The project will consist of a survey of property lines along Cave Creek Road between the Main Gate and the Construction Gate. Fencing (pictured) similar to what is seen south of the Main Gate parallel to the Renegade Golf Course will clearly identify our property and demonstrate to outsiders that crossing

the fence is trespassing. Without clearly marked boundaries, the police officers have no legal means of assisting our community by removing trespassers.

Understanding our border also helps our own officers patrol Desert Mountain. New signage is included in the project. A second phase of the project is under consideration to address the property north of the Construction Gate.

DMEIS – Desert Mountain Emergency Information System

While not a “project,” the DMEIS is an important platform for all Desert Mountain residents. In the event of an emergency that may impact our community, we activate this system to ensure important information is shared with our residents.

This will also decrease the number of calls to our gatehouses and offices, freeing staff to deal with any crisis that may arise. The system is simple. A dedicated phone number can be activated to include pertinent information in the event of an emergency.

The system is updated as we learn more from emergency or municipal personnel. This year, we have activated the system twice as wildfires burned close to our community. An eblast to the community will alert you that we have activated the system.

When enabled, the number is 480-635-5656. We encourage you to save this number in your contacts in the event it is needed.

W E A R E A LWAY S AVA I L A B L E F O R COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS. P L E A S E D O N O T H E S I TAT E T O C O N TA C T KEVIN POLLOCK OR STEPHEN PRALL.

Desert Mountain Community Executive Director

8 | Desert Mountain Connection

Desert Mountain Community Manager

MASTER ASSOCIATION FINANCES Derek Hill, Treasurer

Desert Mountain Master Association

Mid-Year Report

Bottom Line Up Front: For the six months ending June 30, The Master Association’s Revenue was in excess of $2,248,000 while Operating Expenses were right at $1,886,500. After $300,000 in transfers to Reserves, Excess Revenue Over Expense sits at $62,000.

Despite Covid-19, Desert Mountain Master Association is operating close to budget. Revenue is $6,000 more than budgeted. Most Revenue line items came in at or slightly above budget; however, Design Review was $54,000 (15%) under budget, and Advertising Income was down $13,000 due to the decision to delay printing The Connection.

Total Expenses came in under budget by $33,800.

Most Expense line items were at or under budget.

Culvert Maintenance was $11,000 under budget due to work not being completed in the time frame initially planned. Payment of Federal and Arizona Income Taxes was delayed from April until July, resulting in a short term savings of $34,000.

The budget called for $50,000 per month to be transferred to Reserves. After making the planned transfers for the first three months, the Board decided to suspend the transfers until more was known about the impact that the pandemic may have on the DMMA budget. The impact now appears to be minimal, and the planned $300,000 has been transferred to Reserves.

Through June 2020, the budget projected a loss of $23,000. However, with the slight increase in Revenue and a decrease in Total Expenses, Excess Revenue over Expenses is at $62,000. This exceeded, in our favor, the budgeted amount by $85,000!

All 19 unincorporated Villages are YTD operating close to or at budget. Several Villages are operating slightly above budget due to repairs and higher than usual water usage during some unusually warm days.

All the Villages are in good financial shape with sufficient funds for operating expenditures.

The process of preparing the Master Association budget for FY 2021 has begun. During our July Board meeting, the DMMA board had its first review of the 2021 proposed Master Association budget.

The DMMA board will do its second review of the 2021 proposed Master Association budget at its Board meeting on August 24 as well as the first review of the 19 unincorporated village budgets. The final vote on all of these budgets for fiscal year 2021 will occur at the September 28 Board meeting.

The Communications and Marketing Committee is looking for talented writers to develop articles for our newsletters and eblasts concerning community events, activities, and lifestyle trends. We are also very interested in spotlighting community residents with memorable stories. If you are interested in joining this committee, contributing an article, or if you have a story to tell, please email us at kpollock@desertmthoa.com. We would welcome a brief description of your background and interests. Look forward to hearing from you!

DesertMtCommunity.com | 9

NEW ENTRANCE MONUMENTS BRING ADDITIONAL ART TO DESERT MOUNTAIN

THE NEW EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Kevin Frawley, Chair

Helen Hemphill

A few weeks ago, a friend decided to drive north from Kierland to have lunch with my husband and me. He didn’t see the signage at Desert Mountain’s main gate and drove right by the entrance, ending up at the secondary gate on Desert Hills Drive. Not a big deal, really, but it made me wonder. Desert Mountain is a luxury-lifestyle community tied to the stunning beauty of the desert, but the main entrance is a little nondescript. I’ve driven by it myself a number of times—and okay, maybe that says something about my driving, but shouldn’t our main entrance make more of a statement?

Desert Mountain External Affairs Committee

THE NEW DESIGN, APPROVED BY T H E M A S T E R B O A R D, W I T H SUPPORT FROM THE CLUB, SHOULD B E I N S TA L L E D B Y T H E E N D O F 2020. NO ASSESSMENTS WILL MADE TO PROPERTY OWNERS.

The DMMA Board recognizes the importance of leveraging the size, scope and economic power of our Desert Mountain Community. Kevin Frawley now chairs a new committee called External Affairs comprising four additional members: Liz Draeger, Steve Garry, David Roberts and Allen Shimizu.

In the committee’s recently approved charter, the Board stated the following rationale for this initiative:

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THE CURRENT ENTRANCE M O N U M E N TS A R E D E T E R I O R AT I N G .

T H E A S S O C I AT I O N P R O A C T I V E LY BEGAN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BOARD TO LOOK FOR A SOLUTION. The DMMA thinks so too. It’s consulting with Trademark Visual. This single-source design, fabrication and installation signage company serves national and international clients such as Talking Stick Resort, Del Webb, the NCAA, ASU, Silicon National Bank and the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The Master Association recently approved the design of two new entry monuments for the main gate and the Desert Hills entrance. The new look will provide more visibility and a more modern 10 | Desert Mountain Connection

design aesthetic, while maintaining alignment with the Desert Mountain brand.

The project begins with demolition of the current signage in late summer, with installation complete by October. “Our current monuments are basically crumbling. They had to be replaced,” noted Kevin Pollock, Executive Director of the Desert Mountain Master Association. “When we discussed the situation with the Board, we wanted to closely align with Desert Mountain’s overall branding, while still honoring the scenic corridor on Cave Creek Road.

We think the new monuments do that well.”

The new monuments have been commissioned specifically for Desert Mountain and are trademarked artwork that will be constructed and owned by our community. The triangular “mountains” are continued next page

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Desert Mountain comprises approximately 7.5% by land mass of the City of Scottsdale;

Our real estate is valued at approximately $3 billion with almost two thousand homes and six thousand residents;

Speaking on behalf of the Board and the committee, Kevin Frawley said, “We believe these facts are not well known to local and state officials or to significant vendors and service providers to our Community. Moreover, they need to know who we are and what we represent to Scottsdale and to their businesses.”

This committee is being established to address this by highlighting the size and political/financial strength of our community to our local and state officials and major service providers. If you have questions or suggestions on how we can achieve this objective, please contact Kevin Frawley at kevinbfrawley@gmail.com.

Our homeowners pay many millions of dollars in property taxes and sales taxes annually on all the products and services residents purchase.

NEW ENTRANCE MONUMENTS , continued set atop Arizona Moss rock and Hualapai Chocolate stone and are fabricated out of Corten Steel, acid washed to a natural rust color. LED lighting with Halo illuminated letters and logo will enhance nighttime visibility.

The monuments are approximately 7’ tall and over 40’ long, with the main gate entrance slightly longer. The new design incorporates the look of the Desert Mountain logo, while maintaining the natural blueprint of the desert.

“As the approval process moved through committee and to the Board, I liked that the new monument designs have a clean, updated look,” added Association President Mike Klonoski. “Plus, they complement the Club logo and other Desert Mountain programs. Most importantly, we were able to do this upgrade to our entrances from the current budget. There will be no assessment to our property owners. We think that’s a win.”

LOOK FOR THE NEW MONUMENTS COMING SOON. YOU CAN TELL YOUR GUESTS TO JUST LOOK FOR T H E M O U N TA I N S . I L O V E I T. DesertMtCommunity.com | 11

THE MOSAIC AT THE RANCH Bob Borsch and Troy Gillenwater

Founders of the Desert Mountain Trails and the Desperados

Do you know about the incredible community art project unfolding right now at the Ranch?

The Mosaic at the Ranch is a stunning 90-foot work of mosaic art depicting the wind Sonoran Desert and the beautiful and fascinating creatures native to this world, as shown in their native habitats.

Every creature is beautifully and realistically created in hand-made kiln-fired tiles, and is nestled in the authentic landscape where they live in the desert wilderness.

Our Phoenix-based artist, Tammi Lynch-Forrest, has been hard at work for more than a year on this massive undertaking, creating thousands of tiles, each meticulously crafted, to create a breathtaking desert tableau, unlike anything anywhere in Arizona.

Tammi is a highly regarded local and internationally known artist specializing in exquisitely detailed and one-of-a-kind mosaics. She is a featured artist in the book “Creations: Contemporary Decorative Mosaic”, and has been a featured artist on ArtBeat on PBS.

The Mosaic has been made possible by the fundraising efforts of the Desert Mountain Desperados, and the generosity of members of the Desert Mountain community who want to be a part of this extraordinary community art project. The Desperados, through their charitable Trails Scouts Fund, and working in collaboration with the Desert Mountain Club and Desert Mountain Community Association, continue to add new trails and related enhancements, such as the Mosaic, to the already amazing outdoor recreational experiences of our community.

We are hopeful—with good cooperation of the elements—that the Mosaic project will be completed this spring, in time for a grand opening and celebration at the Ranch for all our members.

12 | Desert Mountain Connection

Do you know how this project came to life?

Troy Gillenwater, who originated and inspired the idea, said, “Nearly eight years ago, when we celebrated the grand opening of the first Desert Mountain Trail, we asked a Navajo artist, Redwing Ted Nez, to preside over the dedication ceremony.

He described our unfolding trail system as ‘a pathway into a living monument, a place we had a duty to cherish and protect’. It dawned on me then.

We should create a monument to the Sonoran Desert accessible to all Desert Mountain residents and guests.”

Are there other projects or initiatives that the Desperados support?

The Desperados are engaged in continuing to create trails and trail-related amenities on our northern properties. Also, we are engaged in furthering the Desert Mountain Community’s wilderness and outdoor recreation reputation, seeking recognition with certifications for Community Art, Dark Sky Friendly, Quiet Places (our trails), Heritage Preservation (Hohokam habitation site on the Ranch), and several wildlife conservation initiatives.

And we are also keenly aware of our responsibilities to the desert foothills region we inhabit, supporting

other 501(c)3 organizations: Friends of the Tonto, The McDowell Mountain Preserve, Wild at Heart Raptor Rescue, Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, The Arizona Trail and the Desert Foothills Mountain Biking Association.

Everyone in the Community is invited to come and watch the mosaic progress, and visit with Tammi as she works. It’s an experience you will enjoy immensely. And be sure to be there for the Grand Opening! Please watch the drone video by James Kolander to see the mosaic progress (https://desertmtcommunity.com/478/MosiacDrone-Video).

Why a mosaic and not a sculpture or memorial plaque?

Like the Sonoran Desert, our mosaic teems with life: insects, flowers, reptiles, mammals, birds, trees and cacti, all come to life before our eyes. This mosaic, with its thousands of interconnected tiles, represents the desert’s wonderfully unique and woven fabric, all within a 90-foot span. A simple stroll along its bright and vivid colors and the fantastic desert creatures immerses one with an appreciation of the larger magical landscape around us. With a better understanding of this environment, we are more likely to treasure and protect it for all to enjoy.

Who are the Desperados that brought us the mosaic?

We are a diverse group of Desert Mountain golfers, hikers, cyclists, trail runners, bird watchers, photographers and artists that share one primary trait: we love to spend time in the great outdoors with our fellow enthusiasts. We understand the remarkable gift of our community location adjacent to the 3-million acre Tonto National Forest. And as Redwing challenged us, we feel a supreme duty to steward the desert and share it with others.

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BIRDING AT DESERT MOUNTAIN

THE DESERT MOUNTAIN PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS!

Susan Sridharan

Desert Mountain Resident, Desperado, and Friends of the Tonto Volunteer

Winter Flashback

Not long after sunrise on a cold, blustery morning last December, a team of National Audubon Society volunteers arrived at Desert Mountain. Armed with birding scopes and binoculars, we were conducting the annual Christmas Bird Count for the Audubondesignated territory that includes Desert Mountain, Carefree Ranch and Tonto Hills. The data we collected would be combined with that of other teams from all over North America to aid in research on bird populations. Because of the cold wind our expectations were low, but after four hours of birding ponds and walking paths, the area around the C/G Clubhouse and the Trails, we counted a respectable forty-three species. Many were familiar, year-round residents: Harris’s Hawk, Cactus Wren, Verdin, Gila Woodpecker and Phainopepla. Others were less common (Spotted Towhee and Ladderbacked Woodpecker), or winter-only residents (Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck and Ruby-Crowned Kinglet). The most numerous was the striking Whitecrowned Sparrow (94 individuals), closely followed in number by Gambel’s Quail, and then, surprisingly, Hooded Mergansers.

The Desert Mountain Master Association (DMMA) is proud to announce the winners of our inaugural 2020 Photo Contest. As you know, we invited all amateur photographers to submit up to three high definition photographs in the following categories: Lifestyle, Nature, and Community. The subject matter was of your choosing, and we encouraged a range of moods, settings, characters and imagery. We received hundreds of photos, and many were of exceptional quality. In addition, due to COVID-19, it was apparent that pictures representing community were difficult to capture. Thus, we revised the categories to Lifestyle and Community, Nature, and Wildlife.

Scott’s Oriole

Spring and Summer

Birding in winter can be challenging, as many birds lose their distinctive markings and sing less frequently. As winter ends, however, migrants stop to rest here on their journeys north, and summer residents return. Males have molted into colorful plumages, and birdsong returns as they try to attract females and defend territory. There is a flurry of activity as nests are built, eggs laid and nestlings tended.

One early spring arrival is the Scott’s Oriole.

Spectacular in yellow and black, the males arrive first to claim a territory. If you’re lucky, a pair might build a nest in a soaptree yucca in your yard.

1st–P. Kuhn for Bicycle at Sundown

LIFESTYLE AND COMMUNITY

1st–A. DiSabatino for Blue Bells

N AT U R E

Lucy’s Warblers are abundant summer residents, but unlike orioles, they are hard to spot. Small and gray, they blend into mesquite foliage perfectly, but once you learn to recognize their song you realize they are everywhere.

Harris’ Hawk 14 | Desert Mountain Connection

The Trails has a summer population of Black-chinned Sparrows, an uncommon bird with an unmistakable continued on page 29

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1st–R. Short for Hawk Landing

WILDLIFE

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PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS , continued First Place was selected in each category by the Communication and Marketing Committee. The winners are (drum roll please!): R. Short for Hawk Landing in the Wildlife Category; P. Kuhn for Bicycle at Sundown in Lifestyle and Community; and A. DiSabatino for Blue Bells in the Nature Category.

The overall Grand Prize Winner was selected by the Board of Directors; our cover photo is our overall Grand Prize Winner: R. Short for Hawk Landing.

First Place in each category has received a professionally framed 18x24 print of their photo with a commemorative plaque. The Grand Prize winner also has had their professionally framed photograph displayed in the DMMA offices. Lastly, a $1,000 contribution was made to the charity of the Grand Prize winner’s choice. Note that cash prizes are to be funded from traffic violation fees.

3rd–J. Iselin for Summer Sunset

LIFESTYLE AND COMMUNITY

3rd–D. Powell for Sunset

N AT U R E 2nd–B. Mourad for Cocktail at Sunset

LIFESTYLE AND COMMUNITY

3rd–R. Short for Bird with Seed

WILDLIFE 2nd–T. Dolloff for Saguaro in Bloom

N AT U R E

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SUBMITTED E N T R I E S . W E C E R TA I N LY H A V E S O M E TA L E N T E D P H O T O G R A P H E R S I N O U R C O M M U N I T Y. 2nd–D. Powell for Hummingbird

WILDLIFE

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FROM THE GROUND UP Wendy Whitman

Desert Mountain HOA Landscape Committee Member and Desperado

The Arizona Scrub Oak has a gray-green leaf.

Native plants in Desert Mountain

Colorful galls protect the eggs of Gall Wasps.

If you’re new to Desert Mountain, or even if you have lived here for many years, you may not know much about our native landscape. The desert is alive with beautiful blooming plants, native shrubs and indigenous trees that combine to make the splendor of the place we call home. While the goal of this and upcoming articles about Desert Mountain plants is to educate, we also want to help you appreciate the history and the science of our native habitat. So, let’s get started with the Arizona Scrub Oak, officially named Quercus turbinella.

Family: Fagaceae (Beech Family)

Plant Characteristics: Found throughout Desert Mountain and the surrounding area, the Arizona Scrub Oak is actually a shrub or small contorted tree, 3-9 feet tall. The bark is light gray and leaves are evergreen, colored gray-green with 1-8 pointed teeth. Male and female flowers are on the same plant. The fruit is an acorn.

Flowering Season: March through June with fruiting from July to September.

Range: Arizona, California, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Nevada in the western United States.

It also occurs in northern Mexico.

Importance to Wildlife: Scrub oak is an important food source and cover plant for mammals, birds and insects. It is the caterpillar host plant for Oslar’s oakworm moth and Grote’s buckmoth.

A WA R D WI N N I NG L a n d s c a p e De s i g n s

by Do n n a Wi nt e r s

A full grown scrub oak can reach 9 feet.

One of the best features is that Shrub Oak are favorite targets of Gall Wasps. A tiny black wasp barely 3mm in length inserts an egg, into tender new growth. In response, the plant forms a colorful gall which harbors and feeds the egg and grub until it matures and flies away.

Ethnobotany: Arizona Scrub Oak has been used for food and tools by Southwestern Indigenous peoples throughout history. •

• • • •

Cocopah tribes used scrub oak acorns as a cash crop, often traded with the Paipai nation for wild sheep skins.

Havasupai peoples incorporated scrub oak wood into their tools, such as hoe and axe handles.

Hualapai Indians prepared food, bread and cake, or roasted acorns like pinons, stew.

Mohave people used acorns for food and porridge, making mush.

Pima, Gila River natives used for acorns eaten raw as a snack food.

The Arizona Scrub Oak is included in Desert Mountain’s Landscape Guidelines native plants and may be used anywhere within the native zone of your property. Next time you take a walk in the neighborhood, see if you can spot this scrub oak along walking paths or in desert washes. Extra points if you discover a gall!

Call today for a free consultation 480.483.7289

INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT MORE ABOUT OUR LANDSCAPE ENVIRONMENT? EMAIL ME AT WLW0223@GMAIL.COM. I’M HAPPY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. 18 | Desert Mountain Connection

DESIGN

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BUILD

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MAINTAIN

DESERT MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE UPDATE

AT HOME: HOME DÉCOR TRENDS Katherine Helm

What’s NOT Hot in 2020

The Power of 4

The effects of Covid-19 are felt in every segment of society, and real estate is no exception. One thing is clear: there will always be real estate activity at Desert Mountain even as major events drive people to make changes in their lives. We are seeing more interest in Desert Mountain from buyers currently living in California, the Northwest, Northeast and the South. People are looking for lower density locations while being able to enjoy open air activities.

Homes for sale inventory is at an historic low in Desert Mountain. In a quote from Sotheby’s International Realty, “While incoming home sales took a hit in April and May, it is improving and growing faster than new listings are coming to market—indicating a strong buyer demand.” With the number of homes for sale low, new home listings are attracting much attention, especially via on-line websites. In addition, mortgage rates are near historic lows, which appears to be enticing even more buyers to the market.

July market conditions for Desert Mountain are briefly summarized below:

 43 homes are currently under contract;

 16 Homes sold in the first half of July;

 28 lots sold between January 1, 2020 and July 16, 2020; and  3 lots closed in July and nine are under contract.

The above conditions indicate that 2020 will have a strong second half. This Desert Mountain market update was written July 16, 2020. For the most current real estate information, please contact The Power of 4 at 602-708-7300.

www.DesertMountainHomeExperts.com

Under Contract Homes in Desert Mountain (July 16, 2020) 15

# of contracts

2020 is certainly a year for the books ... and we are just over halfway through it!!

10

10 8

5 2 1 UNDER $1M $1 - 2M

Homes Sold in Desert Mountain (Jan 1 - July 16, 2020)

25 15

10 UNDER $1M $1 - 2M

20 | Desert Mountain Connection

$4 - 5M

$5M+

47 30

# of listings

# of sold homes

50

36

15

$3 - 4M

1

Current Listings in Desert Mountain (July 16, 2020)

50

50

$2 - 3M

$2 - 3M

7

1

$3 - 4M

$4 - 5M

25 14

15

10

11

6 UNDER $1M $1 - 2M

5 $2 - 3M

$3 - 4M

Over the years, styles come and go - what’s hot and what’s not changes in fashion and home design. I have learned to appreciate classic design with timeless appeal — not the trend du jour — especially in-home design.

After reading my “design sources”, here’s the list of what’s is OUT in 2020.

OUT: Farmhouse, cottage, nautical and rustic modern looks.

My opinion is that if you live by the ocean the nautical look may look fantastic. Design for where you live and the style of your home.

$4 - 5M

$5M+

OUT: Rose gold. It’s a fad. This metal tone can be very limiting, and if you’re trying to match faucets with lighting or mirror frames, it’s difficult to achieve a good match. I prefer chrome— it’s classic. People are going back to chrome finishes – they are easy to clean and durable.

OUT: Gray. Gray on Gray interiors are fading into maybe…white! I like white interiors – they’re classic, and you can always add color to any white palette.

Earth tones are also making a comeback.

Always remember your house is your home - and you should live with what you love. Unfortunately for my husband, I love to decorate.

OUTDOOR LIVING Dan Wolski

The New Age Dining and Living Room

12

10

Remember the gold shag carpet, the avocado kitchens, 80s fashions with big hair, padded shoulders, and leg warmers? We laugh now when we look back - but that was the style.

OUT: Mason jars and pallet art – Hmmmmm. I’m not sure what pallet art is, but I don’t think I would like it or recommend it for any design feature.

The attraction to outdoor living is shaping today’s real estate trends. It’s common for buyers to include outdoor living spaces in their “must haves.” Today, uncovered outdoor patios for sunning, heated swimming pools, spas, and shade-protected covered patios are a minimum standard. Many buyers now wish to control outdoor temperatures with misting systems to keep cool during warm days, and use heaters, fireplaces, and fire pits to warm those chilly nights!

Outdoor spaces have become an extension of the indoors, often achieved by melding interior and exterior spaces together with the same floor surfaces or removing physical boundaries between inside and outside with doors that telescope into the wall. Add outdoor kitchens, dining areas, and lounge/living room spaces complete with TVs, and it’s a wonder we need to go inside anymore.

Recently, we toured a home that featured flexible indoor/outdoor patio options. Dual sets of pocket doors—one on the interior, another on the exterior— allowed the owners to open the entire house to the outdoors or, alternatively, close the interior set of doors and open the exterior doors so the outside area functions as a covered patio space. A third option was to open the interior doors only and extend the protected living space of the home to the edge of the covered patio. This way, when preparing to leave the home for an extended period, the owner was able to close only the exterior doors without the cumbersome need to pull patio furniture and pillows inside, cover up TV’s, or struggle to remember any other checklist items.

These areas are versatile. From casual and intimate settings, to larger formal gatherings, customized outdoor spaces provide an alternative to more traditional dining and living rooms. We’re finally enjoying home life where we all want to be—outdoors!

DesertMtCommunity.com | 21

FUN FACTS ABOUT CAREFREE

THE PROS AND CONS OF E-BIKES

1955: Tom Darlington and K.T. Palmer opened their first real estate office in Cave Creek. They purchased the land that would become the Town of Carefree for $44,000.

Cycling gives you a fantastic cardiovascular workout and also strengthens your leg muscles and core. It allows you to experience the understated beauty of your surroundings more richly than when you simply zoom past them in your car.

Katherine Helm

1958: The Town’s whimsical street names came to life during a dinner party in Phoenix. Palmer mentioned to the group that they had not selected names for the streets, and party guests began providing colorful names for the new town, such as Easy Street, Ho Hum Road, Lazy Lane, Nonchalant Avenue and Wampum Way.

1959: The Sundial is completed. The Sundial points directly to the North Star, measures 62 feet long and rises 35 feet off the ground. Currently, the Carefree Sundial is the largest in North America and the third largest in the world.

1968: Arizona Film Commissioner Fred Graham built Southwestern Studios. The 160-acre desert property featured three state-of-the-art soundstages, edit bays, a 35 mm screening room, make-up and

production facilities, a Western street, and a back lot. Stage 1 was used to film The New Dick Van Dyke Show, starring town resident Dick Van Dyke.

1970: Gerry Jones designed the Slingman House, where he “bridged” the house over boulders, creating the first bridge house in Arizona.

1974: Canadian singer and songwriter Gordon Lightfoot penned the song “Carefree Highway”. In October, it peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent one week at No. 1 on the Easy Listening chart. The song’s name came from Lightfoot’s travels on the Carefree Highway. “I thought it would make a good title for a song,” Lightfoot notes “I wrote it down, put it in my suitcase, and it stayed there for eight months”.

1999: Carefree Studios (formerly Southwestern Studios) was demolished and replaced with a retail center.

2009: Carefree celebrated its 25th anniversary. The town’s motto is Carefree. Where the sun marks time.

Ron Helm

That said, there are some instances where pedal power alone isn’t quite enough; where you need a little extra push to get you to your destination. There may be moments when you want to do the pedaling and other moments when you may wish for your bike to take you for a ride.

An electric bike offers the best of both worlds. It allows you the physical and mental health benefits of cycling with a little less of the legwork (literally) taken out.

So, it’s no surprise that e-Bikes are becoming difficult to buy during this pandemic. In March, sales of e-Bikes reportedly jumped 85% from the previous year, according to the research firm NPD Group.

There is typically a waiting list for most models.

That’s a remarkable shift. For many years, e-Bikes carried the stigma of being vehicles for lazy “pedalers” because the bike draws power from a battery and motor to make pedaling easier. Several models also allow you to accelerate with the press of a button, transforming cycling from a strenuous exercise into a joy ride.

e-Bikes come with various features. They also range widely in price. In general, e-Bikes fall into two motor types: mid-drive motors, with the motor positioned in the middle of the bike, usually between the pedals; and hub-drive motors, which are located in the center of either the front or rear wheel (usually the rear).

There are pros and cons to both motors. Hub-drives have been around forever and tend to be cheaper and more versatile. They’re excellent motors for anyone needing a reliable e-Bike for long, mostly flat commuting. Mid-drives are usually smaller and

lighter and can allow for greater torque than hubdrives, making them particularly well-suited for hilly areas and off-road use. The centered position on the bike also creates a more balanced ride.

There are three classes of e-Bikes. Class 1 is pedalassist with no throttle, with a top assisted speed of 20 mph. Class 2 is throttle-assisted with a top assisted speed of 20 mph. And Class 3 is pedal-assist only, no throttle, with a motor assisted speed up to 28 mph. Please note that e-Bikes cannot exceed the posted speed limit on roadways and are not allowed on the Desert Mountain and McDowell Sonoran Preserve trails. At a minimum, always reduce your speeds to safely match the conditions and be respectful to other cyclists and drivers.

Safety

But as fun as e-Bikes are to ride, they still require attention to the best bicycle safety practices to allow your rides to continue safely for as long as possible.

Many electric bicycle safety tips are similar for standard cycling so be safe before you hit the road.

•

•

Wear a helmet

Install lights – one blinking white light on front and one blinking red light on rear continued on page 30

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DesertMtCommunity.com | 23

BOCCE BALL AT DESERT MOUNTAIN Haven Lewis

PUSH

Why do your practice? It’s a good question to ponder because how you practice should be influenced by why you practice. If your reason for visiting the practice range is to escape the stresses of life, then spending time in a beautiful environment letting the mind get lost in the repetitive activity of hitting one ball after the next is a great idea. If your reason for practice is to develop a skill or get better, then the repetitive motion of beating balls is not going to do much good. Your practice plan needs to foster learning not comfort.

TOP HAND Along with Desert Mountain’s Bocce League, members also are offered complimentary Bocce 101 classes to get them introduced to the game. Haven Lewis will spend the first 15-20 minutes of the class explaining how to get the game started, strategy, and scoring. Following instruction, Haven opens the event so members can play the game with others participating in the class. The Bocce 101 classes are typically an hour and a half session to learn the basics of bocce and then gain the experience of playing the game. Haven also offers strategy sessions with bocce teams or individuals looking to improve their strategy or skills with this fun Italian game outside of the Bocce 101 classes.

24 | Desert Mountain Connection

Jennifer Tucker, PGA & LPGA Teaching Professional Desert Mountain Performance Center

Desert Mountain Activities Coordinator & Bocce Commissioner

Bocce started at Desert Mountain Club in the Fall of 2018 as a way for members to get to know their neighbors and socialize with their friends. The first season 92 players joined the league. No one had any idea how popular it would become. The Desert Mountain Bocce League has continued to grow rapidly every season with more new members and different groups wanting to join the fun. From the Fall of 2019 to the Spring of 2020, the league almost doubled from 380 players to roughly 624 members participating in the program.

PRACTICE SMARTER TO IMPROVE FASTER

The first skills that Haven teaches members is stance and how to throw a bocce ball. With your stance, you want to make sure you are balanced and in a stance that you are comfortable with. You could stand still and throw the ball; others include taking a few steps and then releasing the ball. Haven grew up bowling in her family’s bowling alley so the way she rolls a bocce ball is how you would throw a bowling ball. Another throwing technique is to stand up straight and having your hand/knuckles on top of the ball. When you release the ball, it will give the bocce ball a back spin that a lot of people enjoy because they can control the speed of the ball more easily. Finally, the last type of roll is called a push.

With a push, use the palm of your hand to push the bocce ball down the court. This is an effective throwing strategy as well because it puts minimal to zero spin on the ball.

Many members love this social activity because it can be played with a cocktail in your hand and is easy to learn. For more information about the Bocce program at Desert Mountain, please contact Activities Coordinator & Bocce Commissioner, Haven Lewis. hlewis@desertmt.com (480) 595-4364.

A motion pattern or motor skill can be classified as learned when it is retained over time and in different environments. The latest research in motor learning shows you need cognitive stress to activate learning.

Repeating the same motion over and over creates familiarity, not stress, so the skill is not retained over time. You can create cognitive stress by incorporating these three concepts into your practice plan:

GOLF BALLS ARE LIKE E G G S . T H E Y ’ R E W H I T E, S O L D B Y T H E D O Z E N, A N D A W E E K L AT E R Y O U MUST BUY SOME MORE.

•

•

for around 10 seconds, attempting to repeat a motion within this window merely activates the short term memory recall process. It does not help the brain learn how to create a shot from scratch. Washing your club between every shot is a great way to create spacing.

Incorporate appropriate variability in your practice plan by switching the task or club used every 1 – 10 shots. The more proficient you are at a skill, the more variety your practice plan should have.

Utilize scoring systems for games or challenges and alter them to complement your skill level. For example, when practicing 4-foot putts, challenge yourself to make five in a row, each from a different angle, before moving on to the next task.

If you find a task impossible to complete alter the scoring system till you find a level you can successfully complete, yet still feel challenged.

By increasing the amount of spacing, variability and scoring systems used in your practice plan you make the brain work harder and more completely and thus accelerates learning. Keep in mind that an extreme amount of variability is not ideal if it creates a level of chaos in which you are unable to focus.

•

Create space both in time and physical distance between shots. The longer the space between shots, the more realistic the brain process is to what happens on the course. Because motor patterns are retained in your short term memory

There is a lot more to golf than having the perfect swing. In fact, the perfect swing is a myth. Great golfers don’t have perfect swings, they have decent swing patterns that they are very skilled at adapting to a wide variety of situations. A good practice plan will help you to perform on the course in the everchanging environment it presents. continued on page 30

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DesertMtCommunity.com | 25

FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE ADVENTURES Ron Helm

Are Four-Wheel Drive Trips Your Idea of a Travel Adventure?

With a little planning, a four-wheel drive trip can be a great way to discover those road-less-traveled areas that most tourists or locals don’t get to experience.

Off-roading is something people should do at least once in their lives. Traveling this way makes it possible to steer clear of well-known routes and

camp, hike and explore with whoever might be riding along. And, you might just get hooked.

More than half of Arizona is public land set aside for public enjoyment. Jeep trails carve deep into these lands, clinging to the sides of rugged hills on their way to pristine mountain lakes, abandoned mining town and forests abundant in wildlife.

Nearby trails include: Northeast Phoenix, Apache Junction area: • Apache Trail (easy)

•

•

•

•

The Rolls / Four Peaks (easy)

Sycamore Creek (easy)

Bulldog Canyon (easy)

Sunflower Mine (moderate/difficult)

•

Mt. Ord Lookout (moderate)

•

Reno Pass (moderate) – limited access

•

Desoto Mine (difficult)

•

Pyeatt Draw (moderate)

North Phoenix, Prescott, Crown King, Wickenburg area: • Bradshaw Mountains (easy)

•

Wickenburg Mountains (moderate)

•

Box Canyon at Hassayampa River (easy)

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Backway to Crown King (moderate)

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Castle Hot Springs Road (easy)

Bloody Basin Road (easy)

•

New River Canyon (moderate)

•

Belmont Mountain (easy)

•

Harquahala Mountain (easy)

G E T O F F T H E B E AT E N T R A C K , L E AV I N G B E H I N D T H E C R O W D S O F P E O P L E A N D H AV I N G W I D E O P E N S PA C E S A L L T O Y O U R S E L F 26 | Desert Mountain Connection

Taking a sport utility vehicle off-highway can be a tremendous adventure—but it can also be dangerous unless you first take the time to prepare yourself and your vehicle for the trail. Here are five tips to help make your trip a fun, safe experience that you’ll want to repeat.

No. 1: When driving off-road through the desert, be sure the vehicle is designed for this type of activity.

Start with a full tank of fuel and several gallons of water. In most cases, four-wheel drive vehicles are used for traveling over difficult terrain. If unfamiliar with the area, check for undercarriage clearance on foot before proceeding. Be alert for flash flooding when it is raining.

No. 2: Always be prepared. The desert can be a dangerous and lonely place if you find yourself stuck or broke down and without help. Aside from the usual tools, spare tire, jack and so on, carry enough food/liquids and camping equipment to stay relatively comfortable for several days in adverse conditions. Also carry a first aid kit (including a snake bite kit), small shovel, flares, ice chest, compass, flashlight, matches, pocketknife, compressor/manual tire pump and a spare blanket - one of those aluminum emergency blankets.

No. 3: Know where you are and where you’re going.

Consider purchasing a GPS and Satellite Communicator. These handheld devices enable you to track were you are and communicate with others when outside of typical cell phone coverage.

No. 4: Always let someone know where you are going and set a time to contact them to let them know you are okay. If you do get lost or break down,

then the people at home should know when and where to start looking.

No. 5: Be aware of the damage you and your vehicle can do to the desert environment. Tread lightly.

General off-road guidelines include:

• •

•

•

•

Don’t blaze a new trail; stay on the established path.

Don’t litter; if you pack it in, pack it out.

Slow down and enjoy the scenery; you’re out here to have fun, not to spend your day repairing damage you wouldn’t have done if you’d driven a little slower.

Remember that any hill you go down you may also have to come back up. If you don’t think you can come back up it, don’t go down unless there is another clear and obvious trail out.

If you become stuck or lost while hiking on foot or traveling by vehicle, stay put! Stay with your vehicle if you came in one. Most lost or stranded victims would be rescued sooner if they resisted the urge to walk for help.

In conclusion, driving a reliable and versatile fourwheel-drive vehicle provides arguably the ultimate form of freedom. It allows you to get off the beaten track, leaving behind the crowds of people who now surround most of us for most of our time and having wide open spaces all to yourself. Unrestrained by airline schedules or train timetables, with a hardy four wheel drive as your means of getting around, you’re at liberty to go where you want, when you want, stopping to look at what intrigues you and putting your foot down through areas that hold less appeal.

DesertMtCommunity.com | 27

RESIDENT HIGHLIGHT—LIZ DRAEGER Joanne Klonoski

Liz Colors Her Works With Tactile Touches of History

song that sounds like a bouncing ping-pong ball.

They share the higher-elevation habitat with Blackthroated Sparrows and Woodehouse’s Scrub-Jays.

Many Desert Mountain residents know Liz Draeger from her many contributions to the community that she and her husband have called home for the last seventeen years. But not many of her friends and neighbors are aware that she is an accomplished artist, honored by the Arizona Commission of the Arts, the Andy Warhol Foundation for Art, and Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine.

Liz’s work defies strict genre classification, both old world in tone and color, yet refreshing. What distinguishes her extraordinary art is her masterful marriage of canvas and sculpture with rare, antique textiles dating from the 16th through the 19th centuries. Her Deer Run studio houses the impressive collection, sourced from Europe and the nomadic regions of Asia, acquired during thirty years of the couple’s global wanderings. These historical textiles–castle hangings, altar cloths, religious vestments, dowry textiles and even remnants of a toreador’s trousers–have been repurposed to create her evocative and haunting compositions.

Most of us are so used to seeing Turkey Vultures that we barely pay attention to them. Once in a while, however, there is a vulture impersonator lurking among them. The Zone-Tailed Hawk mimics the size, flight pattern and coloring of a vulture so well that small mammals below pay it no notice, and it can swoop down and surprise its prey. To find this hawk, look for a “vulture” with white bars in the middle of its tail.

“Each piece takes several months to build,” explains Liz. “I start by sculpting the frame and then lay in the interior with antiquities. Then I create the iridescent effect with layers and layers of paint resulting in a shimmer of golds, blues and reds accenting the interior of the piece. It’s all about the artifacts,” Liz continues, “My goal is to conserve these wonderful textiles by creating a piece that is compelling when viewed from a distance, but also draws the viewer close to examine it more intently.”

For commissioned pieces, Liz will incorporate clients’ artifacts such as jewelry, buttons, remnants of a bridal gown, or other prized personal artifacts crafting artwork that is both unique and profoundly personal.

As Liz explains, “When someone owns one of my pieces, they literally become a steward of history.”

28 | Desert Mountain Connection

BIRDING AT DESERT MOUNTAIN , continued

Liz was raised in the juxtaposed cultures of Chicago and the desert Southwest, affording her unique exposure to divergent influences. “Chicago provided exposure to sophisticated and diverse art at an early age. Then my family moved to the foothills of Tucson, and I’ve lived surrounded by the beauty of the Desert Southwest most of my adult life.

Desert Mountain with its stunning landscape of mountains, rock sculptures, rolling golf courses and shimmering sunsets has been the major inspiration for my artwork.”

Great Horned Owls rule the night year-round, but in summer they are joined by the tiny Elf Owl and the Lesser Nighthawk. The nighthawks spend their days hiding under desert scrub, but at dusk they arise from the desert floor and take to the sky. They look like giant bats as they swoop and dive for flying insects.

Fall Arrives

By October the Bell’s Vireos, Brown-crested Flycatchers and other summer residents have left for their winter ranges. We likely won’t see vultures or swallows until next year, but we might spot a Townsend’s Warbler or Lark Sparrow passing through on its migration south. Winter species will soon return, and our annual cycle will be complete.

Desert Mountain’s Year-Rounders

There is a rich variety of birds that keep us company all year. The ponds on the golf courses support Great Blue Heron, Black Phoebe and Killdeer. Say’s Phoebes are a familiar sight on the fairways as they

Gilded Flicker

catch insects on the fly. Desert Scrub is home to Abert’s Towhee and Curve-billed Thrasher. Gilded Flicker and Gila Woodpecker excavate holes in the Saguaros while our gardens attract Anna’s and Costa’s Hummingbirds. Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrel hunt from above. Some species prefer the Trails, like the Canyon Wren (with its unmistakable song) and Canyon Towhee.

Birding at Desert Mountain can be rewarding, relaxing and educational, with more birds to view than could be mentioned here. If you watch long enough, common birds reveal fascinating behaviors, and spotting a rare visitor can be exciting. For more information about the birds mentioned above and to hear their songs, visit allaboutbirds.org, an excellent online bird guide from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

THE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT HAS EXISTED SINCE 1901.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP WITH THE DECEMBER, 2020, C B C B Y R E P O R T I N G B I R D S T H AT S H O W U P AT Y O U R F E E D E R S O N C O U N T D A Y, E M A I L S U S A N S R I @ C O X . N E T. DesertMtCommunity.com | 29

THE PROS AND CONS OF E-BIKES , continued • • •

•

Use warning devices, such as a bell or horn

Ride on the proper side of the road – with traffic and not against it

You may take the lane if desired

Keep your tires properly inflated

•

Be a defensive driver

•

Make eye contact with drivers of vehicles to make sure they see you – especially at intersections

•

•

Watch out for erratic driver behavior

Bikes and e-Bikes are governed under the same laws as motor vehicles

If considering an e-Bike, we recommend that you experience a trial ride under the oversight of a professional at the bike shop prior to purchasing.

Have a professional explain its operations. Greg Billing, Executive Director at the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, stated “Crashes can happen often in the first or second ride”. Note that e-Bikes have a motor and more power than a normal bike. A recent study reported e-Bikes carry a higher risk of severe injuries compared to traditional bikes or scooters.

“It’s a different skill than just riding a bike,” Billings told ABC News. “Which is why we encourage people when they are starting to use e-Bikes to really

practice and understand how to handle the power of the bike and make sure they feel comfortable before they get out on the road or on a trail around other people and cars.”

The Downside: •

• •

e-Bikes are heavy and can weigh up to 55 pounds – more than double the average road bike.

e-Bikes are designed to be user friendly, but you will likely need to use the local bike mechanic to service parts, such as brake pads.

Like smart phones, e-Bikes use consumable batteries that eventually need to be replaced.

However, typical batteries will last three to five years. Replacement batteries cost about $350.

Riding an e-Bike should be a pleasurable experience.

Staying safe is your best bet to keep it that way. Ride within your ability, take time to get comfortable with the bike and read your owner’s manual. And remember, e-Bikes are not allowed on the Desert Mountain trail system and are discouraged for use on sidewalks as it can create a danger to pedestrians and riders. For a great run-down on how to stay safe on a bike – check out: https://desertmtcommunity.com/416/BicyclingWithin-Desert-Mountain

We’re not just real estate agents, we’re your neighbors.

As Arizona natives, we are blessed to call Desert Mountain our home. Building strong relationships with people like you is what makes being a part of this community special.

We’re just down the street, so don’t hesitate to give us a call if you need to buy, sell, or just want to chat.

All our best, your neighbors, Michelle & Paul

PRACTICE SMARTER TO IMPROVE FASTER ,

continued

Training to perform means developing the problemsolving skills to adapt to the unique situation presented by each shot. The only way to practice this process is to create problems you have to solve.

Utilizing games or challenges within an environment that encourages experimentation and out of the box thinking is a perfect way to foster learning. Almost any swing thought or concept is worth trying at least 30 | Desert Mountain Connection

once, no matter how crazy it may seem, you never know what you might discover.

In future issues, members of the Jim Flick Golf Performance Center team will highlight games or challenges you can use in your practice time to help you become a golfer skilled at adapting to and performing well in an ever-changing environment.

Michelle O’Neill 480.776.9958 Michelle.ONeill@russlyon.com Paul Perry 602.319.1110 Paul.Perry@russlyon.com LivingDesertMountain.com