YOUR #1 TEAM FOR GRAYHAWK REAL ESTATE! Supporting Grayhawk community events since 2000
BVO Sponsored Event: Sunday in the Park
Sunday, November 16th from 3-5 p.m. Grayhawk Greenbelt Corner of 78th Pl and 78th Way
Sample food from favorite area restaurants like Pitch, Ling and Loui’s, Lou Malnati’s, Toscana Italian, Fogo de Chao and more!
Sit back, relax and enjoy the fall weather and live music from The Walkens. Kids will love the bounce houses, yard games, petting zoo, and more. We have incredible raffle prizes!
Cost for the event is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 4-12 and kids 3 and under are FREE. Final registration date is Wednesday, November 12th. There will be NO late registration accepted and NO event day walk-ups for this event. All food and activities are included in the registration cost. Register at www.grayhawkcommunity.org.
& Around Grayhawk
VISION
Grayhawk: a Sonoran Desert home to vibrant southwestern living with an uncommon commitment to community.
MISSION STATEMENT
Grayhawk Community Association strives to enhance quality of life and community strength through inclusion, participation and pragmatic stewardship of human, financial and environmental assets.
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
7940 E. Thompson Peak Pkwy Ste 102, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Phone (480) 563-9708
Fax (480) 563-9709
www.grayhawkcommunity.org
Talon Guardhouse/ Roving Patrol (480) 502-7685
Raptor Guardhouse (480) 502-5078
Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.– 5 p.m.
Michelle Sacco Executive Director msacco@ccmcnet.com
Jenn Sheets Community Manager jsheets@ccmcnet.com
Max Schwartz Assistant Community Manager mschwartz@ccmcnet.com
Ashlie Adamscheck
Lifestyle Director aadamscheck@ccmcnet.com
Briana (Bri) Minjarez Administrative Assistant bminjarez@ccmcnet.com
Chantel Martin Compliance Coordinator Richard Dearo Facilities Director rdearo@ccmcnet.com
Rudy Martinez Maintenance Lead
Martha Castaneda Maintenance Assistant
Director’s Corner
Happy fall, everyone! It’s so nice to see all of our seasonal residents making their way back to Grayhawk this time of year, especially for me as I am getting to meet many of you for the first time.
By now, you should have received a letter with information on the 2026 Grayhawk Community Association (GCA) and Retreat Village Association (RVA) assessment amounts. If not, please feel free to call the GCA Office at 480-563-9708 for details. In addition to the GCA and RVA increases, many of the neighborhoods also saw a rise in assessments. While the amounts varied, many of those increases were driven by the need to fund reserves.
Reserve funding for our communities is a very important part of making sure our community has a healthy financial footing to stand on for years to come. If the reserve balance is not where the reserve study says it should be, that is one thing that can drive an increase in assessments.
We will be setting up a reserve seminar in 2026 for all residents and I strongly encourage you to attend. It will be to give residents a basic knowledge of what the reserve fund is, what a reserve study is, and how we use a reserve study as a budgeting tool. Keep your eyes on your emails for a date for tis informative seminar coming in 2026.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season with friends, family, and loved ones. Best wishes for a safe and Happy New Year!
Michelle Sacco, CAAM, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Executive Director
GRAYHAWK ADVERTISING
The Grayhawk Community Association (GCA) offers advertising as a service to our community and does not support or endorse the products, persons or services advertised in the Grayhawk Flight. GCA shall not be held liable or responsible for any misleading or incorrect advertising.
GCA Holiday Hours
The GCA Office will be closing at 3 p.m. on the following days:
• Wednesday, November 26
• Tuesday, December 23
• Tuesday, December 30
The GCA Office will be closed on the following days:
• November 27 and 28
• December 24 and 25
• December 31 and January 1
Please note that Retreat Village Association transponders will not be installed on any days that the office is closed
Vendor Hours
November 27 (Thanksgiving Day):
No vendors permitted
December 24 (Christmas Eve Day):
Quiet Work only between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
December 25 (Christmas Day): No vendors permitted
December 31 (New Year’s Eve Day): Quiet Work only between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
January 1 (New Year’s Day): No vendors permitted
Trash and Recycle Hours
• Recycle dates will remain on Tuesday the week of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.
• Trash collection will be moved from Thursday, November 27 to Friday, November 28.
• Trash collection will be moved from
Thursday, December 25 to Friday, December 26.
• Trash collection will be moved from Thursday, January 1 to Friday, January 2.
City of Scottsdale Brush and Bulk Pickup
Brush and Bulk Pickup will take place in Grayhawk the week of December 8. Please have items placed parallel to the street on your front property line by 5 a.m. on December 8. The crew responsible for brush and bulk collection visits the neighborhood once within the scheduled week and will not return for piles that were placed after servicing the street.
Residents may place bulk/brush out for collection no sooner than 3 days prior to the Monday of scheduled collection week. For more information on residential trash, recycle or brush and bulk please visit the City of Scottsdale website at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/ solid-waste.
STREET PARKING REMINDER
With the holidays approaching, it’s important to be mindful of street parking. Please remember that parked cars should be parked in the direction of the traffic flow. Please make sure that guests and vendors keep this in mind when visiting your home. Cars should also try to park on one side of the street to allow room for neighbors and emergency vehicles to easily maneuver the streets.
Holiday Lights and Feeding Arizona’s Hungry Montevina Shares the Spirit of Giving
This holiday season marks the 24th year that the residents of Grayhawk’s Montevina neighborhood have been spreading holiday cheer with their overthe-top lights, music and goodwill. Hundreds of cars pass through each week every December to enjoy the spectacle on Rose Garden Lane, as life-sized snowmen, manger scenes and reindeer delight children young and old.
In 2024, Montevina neighbors collected $18,500 and 4,126 pounds of
Santa’s Cocoa Hut, which sits near the entrance, is definitely the highlight. Visitors are handed hot cocoa and cookies by Montevina resident volunteers in exchange for non-perishable food items or cash donations for St. Mary’s Food Bank.
The neighborhood has raised thousands and pounds of food and a ton of money over the years, helping to feed our Valley neighbors who are living with hunger. In 2024, Montevina neighbors collected $18,500 and 4,126 pounds of canned goods, providing 95,939 meals to those in need.
So this December, make sure to stop shopping, baking and wrapping long enough to drive (or walk) over to Montevina and bask in the holiday glow. The Cocoa Hut will be open from December 1-December 25 seven days a week from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Hunger in Arizona
According to St. Mary’s Food Bank, in Arizona, food insecurity is a problem 2 million Arizonans are faced with every year. Nearly 30% of our neighbors are considered working poor, living on wages that barely cover housing and other basic necessities.
Event Season Etiquette
By Ashlie Adamscheck, Lifestyle Director
As we enter a busy fall and winter Grayhawk community event season, it's an exciting time for neighbors to come together, celebrate, and strengthen our neighborhood bonds. From holiday parties to neighborhood happy hours to classes and neighborhood gatherings, these events help foster a vibrant and connected community.
One of the most important things you can do to support these events is to register early. By confirming your attendance ahead of time, the HOA can plan appropriately—whether it's arranging food, seating, or activities. Early registration also give you a better chance to secure your spot, especially for popular events that may have limited space.
If your plans change and you need to cancel, it's equally important to do so promptly. Canceling your reservation allows others in the community to take your place and participate in the event. It ensures that resources are used effectively and that the event can be fully enjoyed by as many neighbors as possible.
By registering early and canceling, when necessary, you're helping to create a well-organized, inclusive, and enjoyable community experience. Your consideration and cooperation make our neighborhood events more successful and our community stronger.
We want everyone to attend, enjoy, and feel welcome at these gatherings. Our goal is to make Grayhawk a fun, friendly place to live and an opportunity to get to know your neighbors better. We look forward to seeing you at all of the fun-filled activities to finish out 2025 and start off 2026.
IN & AROUND GRAYHAWK
Scan the QR Code to register for all events or visit www.grayhawkcommunity.org. Limited space, so please register early to save your spot!
NOVEMBER EVENTS
Make A Difference Day: Adopt-a-Road Clean Up
Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Meet at the GCA Office, 7940 E. Thompson Peak Pkwy. #102
We are looking for volunteers to help us on this Make A Difference Day. The City of Scottsdale will provide all volunteers with gloves, trash bags, safety vests, and cold waters. Meet in the GCA office at 8 a.m. to receive instruction, and then walk the trails along Hayden Road north of Thompson Peak Parkway. The walk will be approximately 1 mile each direction. All volunteers 17 years of age and under must come with a guardian. This is a great way to complete community service hours for school. Please register at grayhawkcommunity.org to sign up today!
Ravenscroft Jazz Show
Friday, Nov. 7 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. 8445 E Hartford Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
A true Jazzbird Nights fan favorite, O.M.G. (Our Musical Genre) returns for another unforgettable performance! This all-star group—featuring the dynamic trio We3, Grammy Award-winning bassist Mel Brown, and internationally acclaimed drummer Dowell Davis—delivers a genre-defying experience that blends everything from Bluegrass to Smooth Jazz, and Classical to Country. Known for their incredible chemistry and musical versatility, O.M.G. brings something for everyone. Expect a night of incredible musical artistry, crowd-pleasing favorites, and the kind of magic that keeps audiences coming back again and again. We will have limited space for transportation to and from the venue. Cost is $25 space is limited to 20 people. Register at grayhawkcommunity.org. We3 website is https://www.we3music.com/ Sneak Peak video from Jazzbird a couple years back: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryy8lEn3iUo&t=170s
Sunday in the Park
Sunday, November 16th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Grayhawk Greenbelt, Corner of 78th Pl and 78th Way
Sample food from favorite area restaurants like Pitch, Ling and Loui’s, Lou Malnati’s, Toscana Italian, Fogo de Chao and more! Sit back, relax and enjoy the fall weather and live music from The Walkens. Kids will love the bounce houses, yard games, petting zoo, and more. Cost for the event is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 4-12 and kids 3 and under are FREE. Final registration date is Wednesday, November 12th. There will be NO late registration accepted and NO event day walk-ups for this event. All food and activities are included in the registration cost. Register at www.grayhawkcommunity.org. Thank you to our Sponsors: David Van Omen with BVO Luxury Keller Williams AZ, Lifetime Windows, Green Muscle Solar, and Alloy Personal Training for sponsoring this incredible event.
Women and Wine
Wednesday, Nov. 19 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fogo de Chao, 6300 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Join us as we welcome back our seasonal residents and say “hello” to new neighbors at this Women and Wine Happy Hour. Fogo de Chao is an upscale Brazilian steakhouse in the heart of Scottsdale. This is a great way to meet neighbors and make new girlfriends. One drink ticket will be provided. Additional food and beverages will be at your own expense. If you would like to stay for dinner afterwards, please make a reservation at 480-609-8866. Cost is $5 per person. Register at grayhawkcommunity.org by November 16.
Family Movie Day – Wicked: For Good Part 2
Saturday, Nov. 22 at 10:30 a.m.
Harkins 101 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt98AlBDI9Y
This movie is rated PG-13. Harkins movie time is here! Register ahead of time to Join Grayhawk Community at Harkins Movie Theater at Scottsdale 101 for our very own private showing of Wicked Part 2. Please arrive early if you want to purchase your own drinks and snacks from the concession stand as the movie will begin at 10:30am. Space is limited. Cost is $5 per person. Register on www.grayhawkcommunity.org by Tuesday November 18 for one of the seats in our own private theater.
DECEMBER EVENTS
Holiday Jingle and Dine
Thursday, Dec. 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Toscana Wood Fired Italian, 16580 N 92nd St Ste 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Season’s eatings! Join neighbors and friends for a fun-filled evening full of good food, festive music, and fun entertainment. It’s the perfect opportunity to relax, mingle, and celebrate the holiday season together. Come hungry and ready to enjoy a delicious dinner in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Expect great music, plenty of laughs, and some fun holiday surprises and raffles! Feel free to get into the spirit with your favorite holiday attire and bring that extra dose of cheer to our neighborhood gathering. Cost is $30 per person and includes dinner and one drink ticket. Additional drinks can be purchased separately. Register at www.grayhawkcommunity.org by December 1. Space is limited to 60 participants. A special thanks to Ardan Construction for sponsoring this event!
Santa Party: Breakfast for Dinner and Pajama Party
Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Fairway House at the Grayhawk Golf Club
Ho! Ho! Ho! It's time for Santa's annual visit to Grayhawk. Grab your favorite pair of PJs and join us for an evening full of magical holiday cheer including crafts, gifts, treats and more. We will serve breakfast for dinner for the kids and a selection of appetizers and a cash bar for the adults. There will be a hot chocolate station to warm you up and get you in the Holiday spirit. Cost is $30 for adults, and $20 for kids if registration is received December 8. Registration after Dec. 8 is $50 for adults and $30 for kids. The last day to register is December 11. Space is limited and this event may sell out.
Parents should drop off a wrapped gift at the GCA office for Santa to give your child by no later than December 11 to hold your spot. Clearly mark your child's first name, last name, and age on the gift. Register and pay at www.grayhawkcommunity.org. A big thanks to Jeremy Mueller with State Farm and Alloy Personal Training for sponsoring this event!
Hanukkah Celebration
Thursday, Dec. 18 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Talon Room, GCA Office
Happy Hanukkah! All residents are invited to enjoy a Hanukkah celebration at the GCA office. We will be doing the traditional Menorah lighting, delicious latkes, a light meal from JJ’s Deli, sweets, and fun activities for the kids. Cost to participate is $5 for kids 3 and up and $10 per adult. Register and pay online at www.grayhawkcommunity.org by December 15. Special thanks to David Van Omen with BVO Luxury Keller Williams AZ for sponsoring this event.
JANUARY EVENTS
Ladies Bunco
Thursday, Jan. 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Talon Room, GCA Office
Join your neighbors for a night of food, drinks and Bunco! Never played before? Don’t worry! It’s an easy dice game- all you need to know is how to roll dice and count! We will do a quick lesson before we get started. Your $5 will go into the pot for cash prizes at the end of the night. Register at www.grayhawkcommunity.org and pay $5 by Monday January 5th to save your seat. Spots are limited, so register and pay early! This Bunco will be potluck style. Each person will be asked to bring either a bottle of wine and/ or an appetizer to share with the group.
Sip and Stretch Sunset Yoga
Wednesday, Jan. 14 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
OutFit Training Grayhawk Club – outside between the Fairway house and the Phil’s Grill 8620 E Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
OutFit Training is an innovative fitness service that is operated by local TRX-certified trainers. This yoga class is a great way to clear your mind and watch the sunset over the Grayhawk golf course. For those over 21, one drink will be provided after the class so you can relax after all the stretching and working out. Just bring your mat, a can-do attitude, and your body will do the rest. Cost to participate is $5. Register online by January 12 at www.grayhawkcommunity.org to help us coordinate with the instructors!
Grayhawk Shredding Event
Saturday, Jan. 24 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. GCA Office, 7940 E. Thompson Peak Pkwy
Join us as Shred-it Document Destruction Services stops by to help you clean house. This will be a drive up, unload and take off service. Each registered vehicle will be allowed up to two bankers box sized boxes. Documents will be shredded on site once the trash receptacle is full and placed inside the truck. You must be registered to participate as space in the truck is limited. Register on grayhawkcommunity.org. Other necessary information will be e-mailed to all registrants closer to the event date. This is a free service for Grayhawk residents.
Happy Hour: Fogo de Chao
Wednesday, Jan. 28 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. 6300 N Scottsdale Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Join us at Fogo de Chão, where tradition meets indulgence. Enjoy an award-winning selection of wines and craft cocktails—all in an elegant, lively atmosphere inspired by the Southern Brazilian churrasco tradition while getting to meet your neighbors. 1 drink ticket will be included, if you would like to order more food or beverages that will be on your own tab. Cost is $5 and space is limited. Register on grayhawkcommunity.org by January 26 to reserve your spot. For anyone who wishes to stay after Happy Hour for a full dinner, please call ahead and secure your dining table at 480-609-8866.
Foster Alliance: Holiday Toy Drive
Foster Alliance is doing the annual Holiday Toy Drive for children in foster care in Arizona. They need toys and gifts for all ages. Items can be dropped off at the GCA Office during regular business hours of Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. You can also visit our Amazon Wish List at https:// www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/290J6FTW1CF3?ref_=wl_share to order and have items mailed directly to the GCA Office. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ashlie Adamscheck at aadamscheck@ccmcnet.com or 480-563-9708.
Sustainable Shrub Pruning: Healthier Plants, More Blooms
By Kaipo Spenser, DLC Resources Field Manager
Many shrub species in the Arizona desert—both native and non-native— flourish and bloom beautifully in the spring and summer months. But once cooler weather arrives, their growth slows dramatically. That’s when a special pruning method, known as Sustainable Shrub Pruning (also called Rejuvenation Pruning), helps prepare shrubs for healthier growth and more flowers in the next season.
Your DLC Resources crew follows these pruning guidelines to keep plants thriving while enhancing the beauty of Grayhawk.
Sustainable Shrub Pruning vs. Shearing: What’s the Difference?
Some landscape providers choose to shear shrubs into cones, balls, or flat tops throughout the year. While this might create a uniform look in the short term, it actually harms the plant over time. Shearing stresses shrubs, leaving them with thick, woody branches and fewer leaves.
The Preferred Method
Instead, DLC uses a more-sustainable approach that follows the Arizona Landscape Contractors’ Association’s Sustainable Landscape Management (SLM) practices. Sustainable Shrub Pruning focuses on trimming shrubs back to about half their size, though some species—such as the Red Bird of Paradise—require even more pruning.
By pruning more dramatically in fall and winter, shrubs have time to fill back in before spring. This method usually results in more vibrant flowers and
lusher foliage! It also allows residents to enjoy the full color of seasonal blooms, since we avoid pruning blooms off unnecessarily.
Throughout the year, the crew trims most shrubs minimally—such as when they encroach on sidewalks and streets, or to help with visibility near intersections and road signs.
Our Work in Your Community
In Grayhawk, our crew follows a slightlyaltered, customized Sustainable Shrub Pruning plan. Most pruning takes place in winter to set shrubs up for spring growth, but with so many plants in your Community, we need to continue Sustainable Shrub Pruning year-round! The crew is careful with flowering shrubs, preserving as many blooms as possible.
Shrubs pruned with sustainable standards often look quite different right after, but the results in the spring are well worth it
Sustainable shrub pruning helps shrubs maintain their vitality over the long term, including lots of colorful flowers
Common species pruned this way starting in November include Sage, Lantana and Cordia shrubs—all of which respond beautifully to the rejuvenation process.
While seeing a large area of shrubs trimmed back may look surprising at first, don’t worry—these plants recover quickly once the weather warms.
Why It Matters
Sustainable Shrub Pruning is a mindful, long-term approach that keeps Grayhawk’s landscape looking vibrant and healthy. By choosing this method, DLC helps your Community conserve water, reduce plant stress, and bring more seasonal color to your neighborhood. Come spring and summer, you’ll enjoy the payoff: healthier shrubs and abundant, vibrant blooms. It’s a win-win!
To learn more about shrub care, visit our Learning Center at dlcresources.com/ learning-center.
After sustainable shrub pruning
Grayhawk Elementary School Gives Back
By Jill Achacoso, PTO Volunteer Coordinator and Dorothy Jokerst, UPC Representative
November is widely known as a month of giving and gratitude. At Grayhawk Elementary we provide students along with their families opportunities to give back not only to their school but also to the community through the Grayhawk Gives Back program. This program includes a number of volunteer opportunities so that those who participate can choose one or more that align with their interests and availability.
Ongoing Opportunities
• The Food Recovery Program allows Grayhawk Elementary to help reduce food waste by collecting all unopened, cafeteria-purchased food items from lunch and delivering it on a weekly basis to a local food bank.
• The Clothes Bin allows anyone in the community to recycle clothes, footwear, accessories and linens which helps the environment by keeping unwanted items out of landfills. If you wish to donate your textiles The Clothes Bin receptacle can be found in the school's back parking lot.
Service Opportunities
• Feed My Starving Children teaches how to help break the cycle of poverty by packaging meals that are distributed around the world. Students and their families are encouraged to join a packing session that is scheduled during the schoolyear.
• Echo Mountain is our Title I sister school. We have implemented two opportunities where we give back to them throughout the year by hosting a Holiday Drive for their students as well as providing a breakfast and gifts for their teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Activities
• Vi at Grayhawk has been receiving some extra love from the children in their community! For the last two years choir students have been performing a holiday as well as a spring concert at their facility for its 400+ residents and look forward to continuing the tradition this year!
• Schoolyard Beautification helps keep our schoolyard clean and beautifies the campus overall with projects completed in and around the school which have included trash pickup and outdoor classroom maintenance. Just as Grayhawk residents volunteer on Adopt-a-Road day we hope that by planting this seed with students now will grow within and one day they will widen their clean-up territory beyond the school grounds!
We all know that while the word 'volunteering' may not make sense to every child the hope through these opportunities is that they learn the value of helping people in need from a young age. And, at Grayhawk Elementary, the educators and parents know that getting children involved early and often is a great way to teach them about empathy and compassion. We take pride in fostering this program for our students so they can experience how helping out not only makes others feel good but it can make themselves feel better, too!
Shifting gears further into the holiday season when Grayhawk students will be showcasing their many talents! Keep an eye out for tickets to our school’s theatre performance of The Little Mermaid on November 21 and 22 where students will act, sing and dance their hearts out across the stage. Or take a stroll over to Montevina on December 18 for our annual Cocoa Hut Music Performance where students will perform holiday songs to help further get our community into holiday cheer against the backdrop of the festively decorated neighborhood.
If you would like more information on the events above or to keep up with all that is going on at your neighborhood school, you can follow along on social media (@GrayhawkPTO) or check out our website at www.grayhawkpto.com. We thank you, our community, for your continued support!
