The Grayhawk Flight- August 2024 by Grayhawk Flight

FEATURES GRAYHAWK

VISION

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.

GRAYHAWK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

7940 E. Thompson Peak Pkwy

Ste 102, Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Phone (480) 563-9708

Fax (480) 563-9709

www.grayhawkcommunity.org

(480) 502-5078

Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

Stacey Harvey Executive Director sharvey@ccmcnet.com

Ashley Scott Community Manager ascott@ccmcnet.com

Jenn Sheets Director of Communications jsheets@ccmcnet.com

Ashlie Adamscheck Lifestyle Director aadamscheck@ccmcnet.com

Max Schwartz Administrative Assistant mschwartz@ccmcnet.com Richard Dearo Facilities Director rdearo@ccmcnet.com

Rudy

Manager’s Corner

With the 2025 budget season approaching the Budget/Finance Committee will begin the challenge of trying to keep the assessments from increasing (or increasing a minimal amount) while still providing the services and amenities that all of you have come to enjoy living in Grayhawk. In 2024, the Grayhawk Community Association (GCA) and Retreat Village Association (RVA) annual budgets were approved with 10 percent increases in assessments.

This month I thought I would write about what your monthly assessments pay for and the services provided by the GCA, as well as some of the challenges the association will be facing in developing this year’s budget, as well as future budgets.

Your monthly GCA assessments cover, among other items, the following:

• Landscape maintenance of the common areas – this includes the maintenance of the greenbelts, pocket parks located in many of the neighborhoods, the landscaping along the residential streets and main roadways (Thompson Peak Parkway, Grayhawk Drive, Hayden Road, 76th Street, and parts of Scottsdale Road and Pima Road), the medians on Thompson Peak Parkway and Hayden Road north of Thompson Peak Parkway, the Deer Valley channel and the 30 mile trail system, among other areas.

• Two 24-hour community patrols throughout the entire community.

• GCA office and maintenance staff salaries.

• Repair and maintenance of the common area walls and fences, mailbox structures, monument signs, irrigation system, and landscape lighting.

• Insurance of the association’s property, general liability insurance, Director’s and Officer’s (D&O) insurance, worker’s comp insurance, and fidelity insurance.

• Utilities including water and electricity expenses.

• Professional fees including auditor, design review, and attorney/legal expenses.

• Capital reserve funding for future replacement of association assets and common elements.

• Social events including some expenses for community events and programs.

• Publication of the Grayhawk Flight news magazine.

• Office operating expenses including office supplies, telephone and data lines, office equipment, and the monthly lease for the GCA office space.

One of the challenges facing the Grayhawk Community Association and the Retreat Village Association in drafting the 2025 operating budgets is to continue funding the capital reserve accounts at the level recommended by Grayhawk’s reserve analyst. Both the GCA and RVA reserve accounts are currently funded below the 70% funded level, which is considered a strong reserve funding position.

To continue at a strong percentage funded level, the contribution to the reserve fund increases annually which results in an additional expense for both the GCA and the RVA. The Budget/Finance Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that both associations strive to remain in the 70% funded range. To accomplish this goal, the GCA and RVA will need to continue to increase the reserve funding levels each year.

As you can see, the Budget/Finance Committee and the GCA and RVA Board of Directors has its work cut out for them in drafting the 2025 budgets and future budgets. Your assessments are used to pay for a wide range of services and expenses necessary to successfully run the Grayhawk Community Association the Retreat Village Association. Difficult decisions may need to be made in the future but you can be assured that the GCA and RVA Board of Directors are committed to keeping Grayhawk as one of the Valley’s premier communities.

Executive Director, Grayhawk

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 Flight. GCA shall not be held liable or responsible for any misleading or incorrect advertising.

AUGUST EVENTS

MIM Behind-the-Scenes Tour

Friday, Aug. 2 at 11 a.m.

4725 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85050

Join us for a 1-hour VIP docent-led tour taking you behind the scenes of the MIM. After the VIP Tour, you are free to enjoy the entire MIM facility for the day at your leisure. The cost is $27 per person. Please note that the museum only permits adults age 18+ in the behind-the-scenes areas due to insurance (no exceptions). Register on grayhawkcommunity.org by July 29.

College

Planning Workshop

Thursday, Aug. from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Talon Room at the GCA Office

SCAN TO REGISTER FOR ALL CURRENT GRAYHAWK EVENTS

Do you have kids starting to think about college? You and your student are invited to attend a free “How to NOT go broke paying for college” workshop hosted by AZ College Plan. This free workshop reveals secrets to reduce costs of a college education and secret ways to beat the high cost that your colleges aren’t telling you. Topics discussed include how to get need-based scholarships and grants, why procrastinating will cost you money, questions to ask colleges before applying, and more! Register on grayhawkcommunity.org by August 6.

Old School Ice Cream Truck

Friday, Aug. 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Grayhawk Greenbelt at 78th Way & 78th Pl

Bring the whole family to celebrate the end of summer and start of the school year with an ice cream treat from the Old School Ice Cream Bus. There will be no parking on the street, please park in the offices at Grayhawk parking lot located at Park at 7940 E Thompson Peak Pkwy and take the sidewalk path to the greenbelt. We will be giving out FREE treats to the first 50 who attend! Check out the Old School Ice Cream Bus menu prior to the event at https:// www.oldschoolicecreambus.com/treat-3-menu

Foster Alliance Volunteer Day (previously Arizona Helping Hands)

Tuesday, Aug. 20 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 3110 E Thunderbird Rd Ste 100, Phoenix, AZ 85032

Volunteers and children age 8+ are welcome to join us to fill a foster child’s birthday wish list. The group will get a tour of the donation warehouse and office. You will then shop for birthday gifts in the donation warehouse and decorate/gift wrap the birthday gifts. Gifts and wrapping supplies will be provided. A maximum of 20 volunteers can attend as this is a structured volunteer program and offers a limited number of spots. Children must be able to independently follow instructions from Foster Alliance staff and are very welcome with an adult. This free event is a great opportunity to give back to our local community. Register on grayhakcommunity.org by August 18.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2024-2025 Grayhawk Community Association

David Van Omen President

Paul Alessio Vice President

Derek Moore Treasurer

Richard Zielinski Secretary

Randy Brown Director

Arlene Smith Director

Don Morse Director

2024-2025 Retreat Village Association

Michael Loya President

Don Morse Vice President

Richard Fowler Treasurer

Jim Ball Secretary

John Williams Director

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

Ladies Bunco

Thursday, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m.

Raptor Room, GCA Office, 7940 E. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Ste. 102

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 Tuesday, Sept. 3 to save your seat. Spots are limited, so register 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.

Stargazing at Grayhawk

Friday, Sept. 20 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Grayhawk Greenbelt at 78th Way & 78th Pl

Grab a flashlight and some chairs and head over to the Grayhawk Greenbelt for a night of stars and planets with Stargazing for Everyone. There will be no parking on the street, please park in the offices at Grayhawk parking lot located at 7940 E Thompson Peak Pkwy. and take the sidewalk path to the greenbelt. You'll have the chance to view the wonders of the universe through their telescopes. Bring your camera or cell phone for great shots of the night moon or catch a fleeting view of Saturn and Venus. We'll have Moon Pies, drinks and lots of fun for celestial fans of all ages. Cost is $3 per person. Registration at www.grayhawkcommunity.org and payment are due by Wednesday, Sept. 18.

Tequila Tasting

Thursday, Sept. 26 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. 7000 E Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85054

Join your neighbors at the Blue Agave Restaurant to taste some top shelf Tequilas. The cost to participate in this flavorful event is $35 per person (tax and tip included) and includes three tequila tastings with a representative to explain the tasting and heavy appetizers. This tasty class is sure to fill up fast! Register at www.grayhawkcommunity.org by Wednesday, Sept. 18 to reserve your spot. Must be 21 or older. No refunds for cancelations after Sept. 18 can be accepted.

Stay Up-to-Date With Area Crime

The City of Scottsdale provides an easy solution for Scottsdale residents wanting to stay up-to-date on area crime. The NexisLexis Community Crime Map allows residents to focus in on a specific area and filter events like aggravated assault, burglary from a motor vehicle, driving under the influence and more. Residents can click on incidents to see the report number, crime, date, time and a general area of the incident. Charts can also be viewed that show details crimes by things like crime class and day of the week. Users can also sign up for crime alerts, which can be delivered daily, weekly or monthly and can be filtered by incident type as well. The radius from a specific location can be increased or decreased to the users liking. To view the LexisNexis Community Crime Map visit https://communitycrimemap.com/map.

A Rewarding Volunteer Experience

By Shirly Wagner, Grayhawk resident

Upon retiring I knew that I would need a structure to my day. I was a Nuclear Medicine Technologist with over 50 years of experience in healthcare and thought volunteering in a hospital would be a great fit!

I started volunteering at HonorHealth Scottsdale Thompson Peak Medical Center shortly after retiring in 2016. I routinely volunteer in the Thompson Peak emergency department and at the HonorHealth Foundation, each a four-hour weekly time commitment. I am also a crafter through the Tender Loving Crafters program and I knit newborn hats for babies born within the HonorHealth system and sew eyeglass cases for outpatient surgical patients at Thompson Peak. There have also been numerous volunteer projects that I have assisted with.

Many of the tasks I perform while volunteering are simple but time intensive. By my doing these tasks, it allows the staff, nurses, and patient care technicians to provide better patient care. I feel joy and gratification assisting the staff, which in turn benefits patients and their families.

HonorHealth administration and staff are very appreciative of their volunteers. In addition to the many “thank-yous” each shift, volunteers are treated to a lovely Holiday Party. There is also a special tea for those that craft, a spring luncheon, and much more. I have developed new friendships and rekindled old friendships through my volunteer experience. A longago friend helped me refine my knitting skills. Another friend has helped me with sewing projects.

There are many volunteer opportunities within the HonorHealth system, and you can choose a service that would be in your comfort zone. Healthcare experience isn’t a prerequisite for volunteering, simply a desire to make a difference in your community. There is also a teen volunteer program for high school volunteers.

I feel grateful my days are filled with meaningful activities because of my volunteer service at HonorHealth. If you’re looking for impactful and rewarding volunteer experience, consider volunteering at HonorHealth! You can find more information at https://www.honorhealth.com/community/volunteeropportunities and can email Volunteers@HonorHealth. com to learn more or get started with your application for service.

Loop 101 Construction Project Continues

The Arizona Department of Transportation, in partnership with the city of Scottsdale, is widening Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) between Princess Dr/Pima Rd and Shea Blvd by one general-purpose lane in each direction and modifying existing interchanges to improve traffic flow on Loop 101 and the cross streets. This project began in January 2024 and is expected to take two years to complete.

Residents can read more about project elements, find upcoming closures and sign up for project notifications via email on on the project website at https://azdot.gov/Loop101PrincesstoShea.

Political Signage

Although Grayhawk does have a community signage policy, the state of Arizona has clear laws that regulate the use of political signage in an HOA community.

According to the A.R.S. Section 33-1808:

Notwithstanding any provision in the community documents, an association shall not prohibit the indoor or outdoor display of a political sign by an association member on that member's property, except that an association may prohibit the display of political signs as follows:

1. Earlier than seventy-one days before the day of a primary election.

2. Later than fifteen days after the day of the general election.

3. For a sign for a candidate in a primary election who does not advance to the general election, later than fifteen days after the primary election.

Essentially, the Association must permit signage, but within certain timeline boundaries (seventy-one days before the primary and up to fifteen days after the general election). In addition, if the city, town or county in which the property is located does not regulate the size and number of political signs on residential property, the association shall not limit the number of political signs, except that the maximum aggregate total dimensions of all political signs on a member's property shall not exceed nine square feet.

Block Party Trailer Ready for Your Next Party!

The Grayhawk Block Party trailer recently got a long overdue makeover. The trailer is newly wrapped and ready for your next party! For only $50, residents can rent the trailer for private parties. The trailer has everything you need, including pop-up shades, tables, chairs, trash cans, coolers and more. Reach out to Ashlie Adamscheck at aadamscheck@ccmcnet. com or 480-563-9708 for more information or to rent the trailer today!