Saturday, October 26 from 11am to 1pm Monterey Park at 73rd Way & Whistling Wind Way
We will have tons of fun activities including Debs Dragons, face painting, our pumpkin patch, carnival games, crafts, sweet treats and so much more! DLC Resources will be grilling up delicious hot dogs and serving up chips and cold drinks. Cost is $10 per child which includes all activities, one pumpkin and a hot dog lunch. Adults can also pay $5 in advance for lunch. Tickets for food will not be sold on the day of the event.
Register on www.grayhawkcommunity.org by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 18.
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.
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 8am-5pm
MANAGED BY
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 Martinez
Maintenance Lead
Chantel Martin
Maintenance Assistant
Martha Castaneda
Maintenance Assistant
Manager’s Corner
Last September, the Board of Directors of the Grayhawk Community Association (GCA) and the Retreat Village Association (RVA) held a Strategic Planning Meeting to develop short-term and long-term goals for both associations, and to determine the best approach to continue to keep Grayhawk as one of the state’s premiere master-planned communities.
Continued home sales have been followed by a wave of remodeling and construction activity in the community. Many homes in Grayhawk are close to 30 years old and new buyers are eager to renovate. Much like owners are making improvements to keep their homes current, both the Grayhawk and Retreat Village Board of Directors are looking to keep Grayhawk a relevant and viable community in which to live.
An established community like Grayhawk has many advantages over new developments including name recognition within the area, and existing community amenities including the Grayhawk Elementary School, Guidepost Montessori School, HonorHealth Scottsdale Thompson Peak Medical Center, two City of Scottsdale parks, two nationally recognized 18-hole championship golf courses, the Boys and Girls Club Thunderbirds Branch, two office complexes, and two shopping centers.
But most of all, Grayhawk has you! It is the residents of Grayhawk that make this community so special. The diverse demographic within Grayhawk truly makes this community like a small town. We have families with young children, families with teenagers, families with children who were young when they bought their house and are now in college or starting their careers, retirees, those nearing retirement, single individuals, seasonal residents, and many others. Finally, most of you have also taken great pride in your community and your home by continuing to maintain your property in a manner that makes you and your neighbors proud to call Grayhawk your home.
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.
Grayhawk Master Association Board of Directors Meeting
September 9, 2024
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Paul Alessio thanked Jim Ball for the written report. He reported that construction continues on the first building at Optima McDowell Mountain. This is the first of six building, which will include over 900 apartments and 430 condominiums.
Discount Tire has broken ground on a new location near 40th St. and the 101. It is expected that they will not move into that property for another couple years. There is no information on what will move in to the current Discount Tire building.
The Thompson Peak Dog Park is slowly moving along. The next stage is on the agenda for approval at an upcoming Scottsdale planning meeting.
Banner Health submitted plans for at 119,000 square foot medical building west of the northwest corner of Hayden Rd. and Mayo Blvd. The site plan will be reviewed by the City of Scottsdale Development Review Board on September 18.
Toll Brothers has submitted plans for a 136 unity multifamily townhome development at Cavasson.
The Legacy Rd. extension to Hualapai Dr. has been put on hold due to a project at the Scottsdale water campus.
OPERATIONAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
Don Morse reported that the committee did not meet.
LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE
Arlene Smith reported the committee did not meet. DLC has been focusing their attention on site lines and cutting back where necessary.
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
Mow heights have been lowered in preparation for rye grass transition. The overseed map, found on the GCA website, calls out areas that will be excluded in green, which is primarily the large area of green space northeast of the GCA Office.
DLC and the Landscape Committee monitor the 2024 Water Right goal on a regular basis. Through July, Grayhawk is at 48% of our yearly consumption
DLC replaced seven broken sprinkler rotors, three solenoids and four broken lateral lines in various neighborhoods throughout the community.
The Deer Valley Wash has been cleaned out, grass and weeds reduced, and tree branches on the ground removed.
The three turf reduction projects approved by the Board of Directors in August are scheduled to begin in mid-September.
Plants in our Butterfly Garden are established and thriving. The newer Educational Garden has lost several varieties, mostly due to the heat. These plants are under warranty and will be replaced prior to our Garden Party scheduled in November to coincide with the Plant- it- Forward Program.
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
Ashley Scott reported that the committee did not meet.
EVENT PLANNING COMMITTEE
Jennifer Sheets reported that past events included a College Planning Workshop where parents and students learned the tips and tricks to reducing the cost of college. Approximately 15 people were in attendance.
The Old School Ice Cream Truck came to the Grayhawk Greenbelt area with back-to-school treats on August 16. The first 50 treats were free and those were gone in about 30 minutes.
We held another Foster Alliance Volunteer Day at the Foster Alliance facility. It was nice to see parent and grandparents bring their kids this time around.
Ladies Bunco was also held recently. There were 24 ladies in attendance, and all had a great time.
Upcoming events include a Stargazing event on September 20. Residents are invited to join to check out the night sky with telescopes from Stargazing for Everyone. This has been popular in the past.
In October, Grayhawk will host a community blood drive and one of the largest fall events, Pumpkin Patch. This year we are also introducing Flannel Fest in November. Watch for more information on that event in upcoming communication.
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
Jennifer Sheets reported on the communication survey responses. Overall, residents that responded where happy with the amount of communication and felt well informed about events and operations in the community.
The committee has spent a good amount of time discussing the printed Grayhawk Flight. It is still one of the most utilized forms of communication and allows for many residents to stay engaged. While the committee initially felt it was best to keep the printed magazine every other month, they do understand the Board’s wishes to eventually go fully digital with communication.
The committee is recommending that the magazine is printed once a quarter to step-down printed communication and move toward a full digital platform. This plan will also include utilizing the quarterly billing inserts for additional communication. It will not include a digital issue on month’s that there is no print issue, as the readership does not warrant the digital-only issues.
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
Paul Alessio reported that the committee reviewed 10 submittals on August 6 and 10 submittals on August 20. Submittals included window replacements, painting, exterior lighting, a pergola and one custom home plan.
Barry Ebert will be retiring soon after many years serving as an advisory member of the Architectural Review Committee. Paul invited Board members to stop by on September 17 to wish him well and thank him for his contributions to this community.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
David Van Omen reported that the committee had discussed the draft budget for 2025, Barry Eberts retirement, bridge and monument sign painting, legislative updates, the 2024 holiday light display and the ramada and mailbox enhancement project.
BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE
Derek Moore reported that the committee had met to continue to work on the draft budget for 2025.
The committee also reviewed the stress test format, but no final approval was given. Once the budget process is complete, the committee will focus their attention to the stress test.
CONDOMINIUM BOARD PRESIDENTS COMMITTEE
David Van Omen reported they did not meet.
NEW BUSINESS
Holiday Lights:
Richard Dearo reported on the process he had gone through to solicit additional bids for the Grayhawk community holiday lights. Only two vendors submitted an official proposal. The price on the second proposal was very similar to the proposal given by the current vendor, Custom Holiday Lights.
Board members noted that Custom Holiday Lights does store many of our lights and they have been extremely responsive to calls for repairs due to vandalism and weather.
A motion was made and approved to accept the Custom Holiday Lights proposal for $64,648.50 to install holiday lights throughout the Park section of Grayhawk and the major intersections, as well as the Tesoro front and back entrances and at the Encore entrance which were previously approved by the GCA Board of Directors. This proposal includes falling lights on the north and south corners of Grayhawk Drive, two trees of lights to the South corner of Grayhawk Drive, two trees of lights to the Thompson Peak corner and refurbishment of all monument garland. This expenditure will be funded through the GCA community enhancement fund.
Ramada and Mailbox Update Project:
A proposal from Studio KZ was received for architectural renderings and city permitting to remodel36 mailbox structures and 9 ramadas within the community at a cost of $89,797 was reviewed and approved by the Board at the February 5, 2024 meeting. The next phase of this project is the completion of one sample ramada and on sample mailbox for Board review and direction. A proposal for $63,400 was received from Studio KZ to complete the sample updated ton one ramada and mailbox. Motion to approve one sample mailbox and ramada at a
cost of $63,400 to be funded by Community Enhancement. Seconded and Motion Passes.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Derek Moore reported the GCA was over budget by approximately $37,000 after a transfer of money to the reserve fund. There was approximately $7,500 of extra income recorded through June.
MANAGEMENT REPORT
Stacey Harvey reported we welcomed Bri Minjarez to the team on August 8. She has been doing a great job and is quickly learning the community.
Ashley and Stacey attended the AACM Trade Show and met numerous vendors that service various aspects of the HOA industry.
In August, Ashley attended a two-day CCMC Foundations of Success course which focused on successfully managing large scale master planned communities as well as CCMC processes. Stacey will be attending this course in September as well.
Ashlie and Jenn attended a CCMC Lifestyle Conference this month and attended several breakout sessions covering various topics such as sponsorships, alcohol at events, digital communications, etc. This was a great way to network with peers and discuss common event processes.
Stacey has been working with the golf club to coordinate the Board-approved bridge painting project.
Research and pricing in underway for possible relocation options for the off-site storage facility. The current storage is used for event supplies, maintenance and historical documents. We also rent a separate storage unit to house the three maintenance vehicles.
Mandy Patinkin 2/24
The Tenors 2/14
Michael Feinstein: My Tribute to Tony Bennett 3/3
Join Neighbors to Donate, Save a Life
Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.
Donating may seem a bit daunting or even time consuming, but really, once you are set up it is a pretty quick process. Certainly worth the outcome! Grayhawk resident Jim Ball is very familiar with the process.
Jim Ball, Crown Point Resident, says:
"I’m a active blood donor. I began donating blood at a community function much like the one planned for Grayhawk on October 16. As of today, I have donated 114 pints over 16 years. That’s 7/8 pints per year. I’m A+ which is the second largest group type after O-Negative. That is how it started and where I am today.
Some may be wondering why I regularly donate blood, and it’s simple: because it is needed every day. It is consumable and perishable. Every day someone somewhere needs blood. Many times the need is from a stranger, but it could also be a family member, a friend or even you. I recently had surgery, and while I didn’t need it, blood was available to me. It was there because
someone had cared enough to donate it. Every time my donated blood is used I get a text telling me that my blood is out being used to help or save someone’s life. That just makes me want to donate more often!
Don’t let the logistics be the reason you don’t donate. The process is very easy. Once you are prepped it only takes about 5 to 8 minutes for the whole procedure, with little or no discomfort.
Once you’re done, smile. You just helped someone when they needed it most. Hopefully it will be there for you when you need it."
Grayhawk Blood Drive
Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Talon Room at 7940 E. Thompson Peak Pkwy.
For more information or to make an appointment, please contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 or log on to redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code: greyhawk
IN & AROUND GRAYHAWK
Vitality Workshop: Boost Your Energy and Feel Vibrant!
Thursday, Oct. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Shantiful Studio, 16674 N. 91st St., Ste 102, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
SCAN TO REGISTER FOR ALL CURRENT GRAYHAWK EVENTS
Michell has had a holistic private practice for the past 30+ years, helping people to increase their energy, mental clarity and focus. In this workshop, you will learn essential tools to boost your energy levels, empowering you to accomplish more every day with enthusiasm! Whether it's excelling at work, enjoying outdoor activities like hiking and gardening, spending quality time with family, or pursuing your passions, having ample energy is key to making it all happen. Join us to discover how to fuel your life with vitality and enthusiasm. Through the movement, breathwork, and mindfulness practices taught in this workshop, you will learn to elevate your vitality. Our focus is on the following: Improve Mobility and Strength, Increase Mental Clarity, and Handle Challenging Situations with Ease. Cost for this event is $45 Register at www.grayhawkcommunity.org by Oct. 8. For more information about Michell and her classes please visit www.michellbrown.com
Grayhawk Community Red Cross Blood Drive
Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Talon Room, GCA Office, 7940 E. Thompson Peak Pkwy. Ste. 102
There is no better way to give than giving to save a life! The Grayhawk Community is sponsoring a life-saving blood drive and hope you are able to participate! All blood types are needed! Although walk-ins will be allowed,time slots are limited. Please schedule an appointment by visiting www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time, type in our zip code (85255) and click on Grayhawk, or call 800-733-2767 for help with registration. You will register for a specific time slot when you sign up. Please remember to bring a photo ID, drink extra water, and eat plenty prior to donating. We will have some snacks and juice for those participating! Feel free to invite friends who do not live in the community to register as well! Thank you for helping us replenish the community blood supply for the patients of Arizona! As a thank you, all donors will receive a $10 gift card.
Pumpkin Patch
Saturday, Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Greenbelt at N 73rd Way and E Whistling Wind Way
Throw on a costume and come pick out the best pumpkin in our “patch”! We will have tons of fun activities including Debs Dragons, face painting, our pumpkin patch, carnival games, crafts, sweet treats and so much more! DLC Resources will be grilling up delicious hot dogs and serving up chips and cold drinks. Cost is $10 per child which includes all activities, one pumpkin and a hot dog lunch. Adults can also pay $5 in advance for lunch. Tickets for food will not be sold on the day of the event. Register on www.grayhawkcommunity.org by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 18. Registration will stay open until Oct. 23, but cost per child will be $20. No registrations will be accepted by Oct. 23. A heartfelt thank you to Garda World Security, DLC Resources, David Van Omen with BVO Luxury Keller Williams AZ and State 48 Roofing for their generous support in making this event possible!
Hawk Talk: Online Scams and Identity Theft
Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Talon Room, GCA Office
Join us for an educational presentation with a representative from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office as they delve into the latest scams and strategies for safeguarding yourself. Learn to recognize warning signs, implement practical prevention techniques, and understand the steps to take if you encounter a scam. Don't miss out on this opportunity to stay informed about trending scams and share your own experiences! Register at www.grayhawkcommunity.org by Monday, Oct. 28 to reserve 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
Calling all volunteers! In an effort to keep our community beautiful, 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 will start walking the trails along Hayden Road north of Thompson Peak Parkway. The walk will be approximately 1 mile each direction, a little over two miles in total after both sides of the road are cleaned. 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!
Flower Bouquet Making Class with Poppies Flowers
Thursday, Nov. 7 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Talon Room, GCA Office
Embark on a creative journey with our Floral Design Class, where the artistry of blooms comes to life in your hands. Whether you're a budding enthusiast or an aspiring florist, this class is designed to ignite your passion for flowers and hone your skills in the timeless craft of floral arrangement. Led by seasoned floral designers from Poppies Flowers, this hands-on class covers the fundamentals of working with various flowers, foliage, and other botanical elements. Cost is $50 per person. A minimum of 10 participants is required. Register by Nov. 1 on grayhawkcommunity.org.
Flannel Fest
Sunday, Nov. 10 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Grayhawk Greenbelt at 78th Way & 78th Pl
Throw on your best flannel and join us for all things country. We'll have award-winning BBQ from Little Miss BBQ, live music, line dancing lessons, a mechanical bull, horseshoes, a pony ring, and more! Dress the part because prizes will be awarded for the best dressed cowboy, cowgirl and lil' buckaroo. Cost is $5 for kids 3-11 years old, $10 for anyone 12 years and older and free for those 2 and younger. Registration and payment are due no later than Sunda, Nov. 3. We will accept registrations until noon on Nov. 7, but the cost will be $10 for kids and $20 for 12 and older. We will not be accepting walk-ups to this event. Special thanks to Starlight Roofing and Jeremy Mueller at State Farm for making this event possible! Register at grayhawkcommunity.org.
DLC Propagating Class
Tuesday, Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Starting in GCA Talon Room then will head out into the community
Join DLC and resident Plant guru Victoria Kauzlarich to learn how to propagate plants. Propagating is the process of taking a trimming from a plant and growing a brand new one. DLC and Victoria will walk you through the easy process of propagating a variety of desert plants. Participants will be able to practice their new skills on a desert plant and get to bring home their own potted clipping! Cost is $3 per person. Register at grayhawkcommunity.org by Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Educational Garden Opening
Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Corner of 76th St and E. Whitetail Way (across from Grayhawk Elementary School)
Join us for an afternoon garden party as we celebrate the grand opening of our new Educational Garden as an exciting new addition to the Grayhawk community. Enjoy a selection of mocktails and sweet treats while exploring the beautifully designed garden, a testament to the dedicated efforts of the Landscape Committee and DLC Resources. Please register at grayhawkcommunity.org by Monday, Nov. 18.
Plant It Forward
Grayhawk homeowners are encouraged to propagate plants in their own yards and donate them to the Association for DLC to use throughout the community during the fall planting season through the Plant it Forward program.
Residents can learn more about the program by visiting grayhawkcommunity.org/308/Plant-it-Forward. If you aren’t sure how to go about propagating a plant, you’re in luck! Landscape Committee Chairperson Arlene Smith and resident plant guru Victoria Kauzlarich created a how-to video walking viewers through the easy steps of propagating various desert plants, which can be found on the Plant if Forward section of the website above. Residents are also welcome to register and join us for the Propagating Class on Nov. 20.
Donations can be dropped off in a box on Wednesday, Nov. 20 or Thursday, Nov. 21 by 1 p.m. at the new educational garden at the corner of 76th St and E Whitetail Way. Residents can also bring them to the Educational Garden Opening on Nov. 20. More information about that event can be found in the Upcoming Event section of the newsletter.
We are specifically looking for the following plants to be donated this year:
• Agaves
• Aloes
• Barrel Cactus
• Fencepost Cactus
• Totem Pole Cactus
• Argentine Giants
• Firestick
• Yellow Yucca
• Elephants Food
If you have any other questions about this program, feel free to call the GCA Office at 480-563-9708.
Get a quote today
Jeremy Mueller Ins Agcy Inc
3 locations to serve you:
Scottsdale Rd/101 602-388-8382
Pinnacle Peak/Pima 480-515-5223
Carefree 480-488-2800
www.jeremymueller.com
The Growing Season
By Kaipo Spenser, DLC Resources Field Manager
Does your warm-season, hybrid Bermuda grass look sparse or weak? The culprit may be continuous overseeding. Often times, this is due to the competition for nutrients between the Bermuda grass and the perennial Ryegrass used in fall overseeding. Overseeding leaves the Bermuda needing recovery time to build strength and vitality before the next growing season.
Overseeding in the fall does not allow Bermuda grass to complete its normal growing cycle before winter dormancy approaches. Much like a bear preparing for hibernation, Bermuda spends the weeks and months prior to the cold season storing the reserves it needs to keep its roots and stems alive through the winter. Overseeding interrupts this process and often, die-back results in the root system. The effects of interrupting this process are seen in the spring when weather conditions are right for Bermuda to begin growing again. The thick, tall Ryegrass will keep the Bermuda shaded and cool, which prolongs the dormancy period. By keeping the Bermuda dormant longer, the percentage of Bermuda that runs out of food before it can begin to photosynthesize increases. When the Bermuda does come out of dormancy, it must contend with the Ryegrass for nutrients while the Ryegrass
is at its strongest. Ryegrass is a fierce competitor for all the resources required for Bermuda to grow: sunlight, water, nutrients and even oxygen. During early spring, the Bermuda is at a disadvantage during the time it should be strengthening to withstand the extreme heat and dryness of a typical Arizona summer. By mid-summer, the Ryegrass dies out and physically impedes the Bermuda’s ability to spread. The dead Ryegrass must be removed through dethatching, which may further injure and set back the Bermuda. In most cases, the Bermuda does not get the time needed to recover because overseeding starts again in just a few weeks.
We recommend suspending the overseeding process for at least one season to help restore the root system and nutrients of the Bermuda grass.
During the Dormant Months
Not overseeding turf areas with winter Ryegrass changes the focus of your seasonal practices. The steps below will help you prepare for the next season of Bermuda grass during the winter:
• Mow twice monthly to maintain a clean appearance and even look
• Control weeds
• Top dress to fill in holes and areas of compaction
What To Expect
Bermuda grass can stay green until the first frost, usually the middle of December. Around the middle to end of March, when nighttime temperatures begin to approach 60 degrees, Bermuda starts to grow again and returns to a regular mow and care cycle. It should also be noted that by not overseeding there are significant savings that can be helpful to any household. Below is a copy of an article written by a Water Conservation Specialist, highlighting some of the additional benefits.
In Your Community
With the benefits above in mind, we will not be overseeding selected sections of your common areas this fall. This means that after Bermuda enters its dormant period this winter, it will begin to lose its green color and will remain blonde through the cooler months. Allowing this turf to rest for the winter will help result in stronger future Bermuda crops for your Community.
We recommend suspending the overseeding process for at least one season to help restore the root system and nutrients of the Bermuda grass. You can find a map of areas not being overseeded on grayhawkcommunity.org under Resident Resources/Common Area Landscaping/Overseeding and Turf Rotation.
