Kestrel Newsletter Sep 2012

Kestrel Landing Strip
Kestrel Goes Xeriscape
“We're running out of
water. We're running out
of water.” That's what
Chicken Little says. But
from what the research
says, we have plenty of
water. It's just that the
plentiful water can't be
obtained cheaply.
It's
the aquifers that are
increasingly insufficient
to service the needs of a
growing
population,
especially after the worst
drought in Texas history.
If we are successful in
getting Canyon Lake
water, our cost likely will
be more than 3 times
what it is now. Are you
ready for that kind of
water bill?
Connie White and her
Community Appearance
Committee
are
not.
Committee
members
Mark Deardurff, Terry
Deardurff, Gail Digman,
Kathy Michaud, and
Teresa Zopff, together
with volunteers from the
Kestrel
neighborhood,
are revamping the front
gate area
into a
xeriscape
entrance.
Xeriscaping requires a
minimal amount of water
because
instead
of
planting water intensive
turf grass, a variety of
alternative landscaping
material is employed,
such as rocks, bricks,
paver stones, mulch,
crushed granite, low
maintenance
native
plants and shade trees.
A side benefit is these
substances don't have to
be cut, like grass!
(SAWS) San Antonio
Water System estimates
that
native,
drought
tolerant plants use 50%
less water than grass.
Toward this end your
neighborhood work crew
had several work days
replacing the sod at
Kestrel's entrance with
crushed granite, river
rock & large native
limestone
boulders.
Using
a
previous
landscaping plan, the
cost to rent the sodcutting equipment and
purchase the rock and
granite was expected to
cost $750.
However,
September 2012
Volume 1, Issue 3
Reporter: Emily Sutter
Design: Danny Ingram
more
material
was
necessary bringing the
cost closer to $1,800.
Kestrel should anticipate
an annual savings of
about $1,500 a year in
maintenance & watering.
A few perennial drought
tolerant plants will be
added once the weather
cools, to give more color
to the landscape. Only
minimal trimming should
be required for these
plants.
Connie would
like to thank all of the
volunteers
who
contributed their time
and energy to the project
and also thank Tre' and
Tammie Onderdonk for
lending the use of their
skid loader.
Inside this issue:
Kestrel Xeriscapes 1-2
Pilots’ Predicament 3-4
Singing Hills
4-5
Pet Personalities
5-6
Community News
6-8
Resident Spotlight
9
End of the Century 10
Event Calendar
10
Below: After Xeriscape
photo at front gate +
Pictures from
Community work day
Page 1
Kestrel Goes Xeriscape (cont.)
Kestrel common areas are not
the only ones to undergo
xeriscaping. Several yards in the
area are excellent examples of
adapting to this new hill country
water reality. Gil and Bonnie
DeWind's front yard on Flightline
has only a tiny area of green
grass. Most of the yard is an
attractive diversity of mulch, river
rock, trees, native ground cover
and perennial plants. Colorful
perennial flowers and shrubs that
are drought tolerant and deer
resistant, as in the Digman yard
on Navigator, attract butterflies
and hummingbirds. These plants
require water when new but
seldom thereafter. Noteworthy
also is the work that has been
done by Teresa Zopff, “the rock
lady” on Navigator Crossing.
Above: Bill/Teresa Zopff
Teresa worked tirelessly for
many months picking up all the
rocks in her yard and placing
them into attractive walls, dry
riverbeds and patio areas for
family
enjoyment.
These
xeriscaping examples easily
meet stage 3 water restrictions.
Many neighbors (too many to
name
here)
are
to
be
congratulated for transforming
areas of their lawns and ditches
into xeriscapes. Just look at the
creativity as you drive down the
streets.
Considering xeriscaping? SAWS
website,
http://www.saws.org,
can help. Several steps are
suggested:
1. Plan how you want to use
the area, what plants you
want to see and where.
Below Left: Gil/Bonnie DeWind
2.
3.
4.
5.
Do you want a sitting
area? A water feature?
An
area
to
drain
rainwater (ha!)? A privacy
screen?
Prepare the soil for your
given purpose.
(Add
good soil for a garden.
Kill or remove sod and
lay a weed-prevention
carpet on the ground to
be covered.)
Work with a licensed
irrigator if you plan to
install
an
irrigation
system.
Lay down your chosen
surface (mulch, granite,
rock, etc.)
Install selected drought
tolerant, deer resistant
plants.
Below Right: Tim/Gail Digman
Page 2
Pilots’ Predicament
Top: Most recent KAPRA meeting in session with this particular topic dominating the agenda.
Clear the runway! And the taxiways! Accidents are
looking for a place to happen. Kestrel pilots need
our help. In taking off, landing, or parking their
planes, they have encountered “stuff” in their path.
“Stuff” that shouldn't be there, both animate and
inanimate, like deer, dogs, drag racers, golf carts,
construction debris, and even a parked boat and
trailer. Pilots are seated higher off the ground than a
car and their ground visibility is very different. Both
takeoffs and landings are at speeds that prohibit a
quick change of path. Imagine what would happen
if an impact occurred at 60 mph plus speeds
between a propeller and a golf cart; not a pretty
picture. How can we avoid a potentially dangerous
situation?
This summer the pilots gathered in Jack & Judy
Wallace's hangar for a meeting of the Kestrel Air
Park Runway Association (KAPRA) to discuss
solving this dilemma. Last year at a POA meeting
they took the first step and asked us to stop feeding
the deer because, as their statistics showed,
feeding the deer increased their numbers. Yet,
while the numbers may have decreased, the deer
continue to cross the runway. KAPRA members
have been studying the Texas Parks and Wildlife
report, “Deer Management Within Suburban Areas”
by Greg Creacy. This 2006 report reviews the
research on ways to control deer populations. The
report covers ways that work (such as hunting &
fencing) and ways that don't work (such as
relocating or birth control). The 9-page report is
fascinating reading and can be accessed at
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications, then enter
the title or author in the search box. The need for
community input is stressed, as well as long range
planning and commitment. It looks like KAPRA will
seek a permit to carefully, selectively, and legally
cull the deer as the next step. KAPRA promises to
proceed by the book, keeping us well informed.
But while most of us can't do much to shoo deer off
the runway, we're being asked to stay out of that
area as well. That hardly seems fair. After all,
Kestrel Air Park belongs to all of us. It's a common
area with lots of green belt to explore. Right? Well,
actually no, that's wrong. The Master Plan, under
which this development was formed, excluded the
runway and taxiways from Unit 1, the residential
subdivision. This area was to be known as the Air
Park, a “limited common area” managed by a
separate association incorporated as the Air Park
Association. KAPRA, as the association came to be
called, consists primarily of those members with
property along the taxiways. The Master Plan says
the Air Park is restricted for use of private and
commercial aircraft and limited to members of the
association, their guests and invitees.
Page 3
Pilots’ Predicament (cont.)
So in reality the runway and
taxiways are private property,
owned by KAPRA, who pays for
their maintenance, taxes, and
insurance. Knowing this, we
need to be safety conscious
neighbors, using the “air park”
only on invitation of a KAPRA
member.
What follows is a public service
message brought to you by
Koncerned Kaprans, Ink. It is
based on a popular DirecTV
commercial in which the viewer is
urged to switch from Cable to
DirecTV.
[Announcer narrating]
 When people disrespect
Kestrel's
Runway
and
Taxiways, accidents happen.
 When accidents happen,
people get lawyers involved.
 When lawyers get involved,
they discover KAPRA owns
the Runway and Taxiways.
 When lawyers find this, they
sue KAPRA.
 When KAPRA gets sued,
they go bankrupt fighting the
lawsuits.
 When
KAPRA
goes




bankrupt, a development
company swoops in and buys
the Runway and Taxiways.
When the developer owns
the Runway/Taxiways, they
sell them to a Nuclear Waste
Disposal Company.
When nuclear waste is stored
in Kestrel, our grandchildren
are born with glow-in-thedark green skin.
Don't have grandkids with
glow-in-the-dark green skin.
Respect the Runway and
Taxiways.
Singing Hills Development
Plans for the Singing Hills
“development”
are
being
discussed quite publicly before
the Bulverde City Council and the
Bulverde Planning & Zoning
(P&Z). For the benefit of Kestrel's
new residents, a master-planned
community is being proposed for
the 250 acres just south of
Kestrel, called Singing Hills. DJL
Ventures (DJL) owns the land,
and DJL wishes to recoup their
investment in the land. DJL has
hired NAI REOC of San Antonio
to assist in the development
process;
NAI
REOC
has
extensive experience bringing
large, quality projects to life.
Planned for Singing Hills is a
commercial
development
consisting of stores, restaurants
& businesses along the highway
frontage of Highways 281 and
46. Behind those businesses
lining the highway will be a
couple of big box stores, an
office park, a hotel, 13 acres of
multi-family dwellings, and 120
acres of single family homes.
DJL will be paying for Highway
46 to be widened, and new traffic
lights to be installed near the
current intersection of 46 and Old
Boerne Road, as well as on 281
at the Singing Hills Road
entrance. Depending on line of
sight within Kestrel, some may
see a state-of-the-art waste
water treatment plant surrounded
by a park at the top of the hill at
the end of runway „32‟ on the
other side of Flightline. Next to
that and curving around behind
Navigator will be the residential
area.
Page 4
Singing Hills Development (cont.)
What we know from Bulverde's
P&Z Commission is that growth
up the 281 corridor continues at
a good pace. According to the
figures, Comal County is one of
the fastest growing counties in
Texas and in the nation. While
the funding continues to be
debated, there seems to be
general recognition at City
Council that development is
coming whether we like it or not
and that “master-planned” is
preferable
to
piecemeal
development over time. What we
also
know
is
that
such
development is very slow. The
Singing Hills development may
take years to get underway. The
developer plans to start with the
businesses along Highways 281
and
46
(and
apparently
businesses do not want to
commit until they have a good
idea of the costs involved and
that's still up in the air).
Meanwhile, the developer is still
negotiating the terms of an
agreement with Bulverde, which
must come before agreements
with the county. The opportunity
for Kestrel to be involved in the
planning negotiations is now,
according to Tom Hackleman of
DJL, who stated: “we are open to
Kestrel‟s thoughts, concerns or
any proposals.” Our KAPRA has
been concerned about safe air
space and about ensuring that
potential residents of Singing
Hills are well informed about the
neighboring airstrip. Then, too,
Kestrel residents along the entry
of Flightline and along Navigator
are concerned about a buffer
between the 2 subdivisions, to
which DJL has agreed to build a
setback „buffer‟. Kestrel Air Park
Unit 1 (KAP1) Board of Directors
(BOD) will be issuing a
communication to the entire
KAP1 membership to highlight
details of joint cooperation to
increase
transparency
and
communication between DJL &
KAP1 regarding the Singing Hills.
Fundamentals
of
the
communication with DJL include
two things: (a) there will continue
to be frequent & recurring
updates from DJL to KAP1 on
Singing Hills development status,
key
issues,
requests
for
feedback, etc. (b) KAP1 BOD will
be working actively with full
KAP1 membership to collect
feedback, answer questions,
discuss key issues & conduct
problem
resolution
(where
applicable), etc. Ultimately, this
will allow KAP1 to influence what
takes place and how it takes
place on our southern border.
We will reserve room in
subsequent issues for updates
on this very important topic.
coloring of the dogs bred by John
Churchill,
1st
Duke
of
Marlborough, who was given a
castle in honor of his victory at
the
Battle
of
Blenheim.
(Blenheim Castle was, of course,
birthplace of Winston Churchill.)
Little sister, Tess, has the black,
tan and white markings referred
to as Tricolor. But in addition to
being
beautiful
“comforters”
these playful little tail-waggers
conceal award-winning talent.
over the bars and up the seesaw, Lizzie has won national
agility championships. Recently 4
year old Lizzie received her
second MACH (Master Agility
Championship)
and
she's
accumulating points toward her
third which is expected by the
end of the year. To win points, a
dog must run around an obstacle
course
requiring
climbing,
jumping, crawling, turning &
running in less time than the
“standard” set time. The faster
the time; the more the points.
Lizzie is the speedster. In fact,
she probably ranks 10th in the
nation for Cavaliers in agility
accomplishments. Most recently,
Pet Personalities
Featured this quarter are Katie,
Lizzie and Tess Williams,
nicknames
for
three
AKC
registered Cavalier King Charles
Spaniels.
This breed became wildly
popular in England during the
reign of King Charles in the 17th
century. They became known as
“comforter” dogs because ladies
kept the toy sized dogs on their
laps in the winter during carriage
rides. Similar to Cocker Spaniels
in appearance, Cavaliers are
smaller, standing about a foot tall
and weighing an average of 14
lbs. Katie and Lizzie have the
red
and
white
“Blenheim”
You've seen the agility training
equipment in the Williams'
backyard and wondered about it.
Well, with Norm or Joan coaxing
the dogs through the hoops and
Page 5
Pet Personalities (cont.)
she ran the 173 yard agility
course in 48” (the standard was
69”). That's a course about twice
the length of a football field. And
because the owner/trainer must
run with his dog, that meant
Norm had to run a distance of
approximately Digman's house to
White's house in 48”. Way to stay
in shape, Norm!
It
takes
work
to
raise
championship
dogs.
The
Williams train one evening a
week. Then there are usually 2
agility trials each month. The
dogs
have
qualified
in
competitions all over the country,
from coast to coast. They have
won so many awards (well over
100) that all 3 drawers in one
desk are stuffed to overflowing
with ribbons. Unfortunately, there
are no money prizes. There are
other kinds of competition,
however. Seven year old Katie is
the beauty queen. Like the
Westminster Dog Show, Katie
won
the
national
Breed
From left to right: Tess, Katie and Lizzie.
Championship when she was just
2 years old. The best of breed
shows are to educate the public
about what a breed should look
like. The shows identify those
dogs with qualities best for
breeding. Baby Tess is just 8
months old but will begin formal
preparation for breed and agility
competitions when she is older.
Three cuddly canines. Whoever
would have guessed our little hill
country community could claim
these national champions?
Norm Williams overseeing obstacle/jump bar training.
Neighborhood News
Our own Colin Michaud has been
elected a Director of the Texans
Against Monopolies Excessive
Rates (TAMER). This is the
citizen organization that has
effectively met with legislators,
water companies and the media
to fight unfair water rate
increases
and
to sponsor
legislation making water rate
regulation more fair & functional.
Primarily
through
TAMER's
efforts the water rate increase
imposed on us by Diamond
Water last year was rescinded
and now we learn that we may
even expect refunds on the
overcharging. At the last Kestrel
POA meeting, we voted to award
$1,000 to assist TAMER's work.
Colin's election to the TAMER
Board of Directors gives us a
direct voice and more clout in
advocating for sensible water
regulation in Texas. His election
is also testament to the incredible
amount of time and effort Colin
has devoted to Kestrel's water
concerns. Congratulations, Colin,
and thanks for all your hard work.
Page 6
Neighborhood News (cont.)
Summer's vacation destinations
overwhelmingly favored cruises
this year. Mari and Chip Brown
kicked off the season with a 14
day cruise to Lisbon, Portugal.
Then in June, Barbara and Cliff
McFarlane traveled the Panama
Canal aboard the Celebrity
Cruise Line, starting in Miami and
ending in San Diego having
Not to be outshone by the
Olympics, the Onderdonk teens
took competition by storm at the
2012 4-H Shooting Sports
Games in San Antonio this
summer. Some 800 participants
from all over the state vied for
sharp shooter honors, clearly
making this a most popular
Texas sport. Will, age 15, has
participated in the competition for
the past 6 years. This year he
finished 5th overall for his age
class shooting 320 out of 350
clay targets.
Younger sister
Reva, age 14, participated for the
first time. In her age class of the
Ladies Intermediate Division this
Annie Oakley finished 5th with a
total of 218 targets out of 300.
Tammy and Tre' remarked that
the days were long and hot but
they were very proud of their
children's
performance
and
pleased at how well the 4-H
shooting events teach gun safety
and good sportsmanship.
stopped at 5 different countries
along the way. Double-dating,
the Digmans & the Dahlkes took
the Norwegian Cruise Line along
the inland passage of Alaska.
Willie and Nolan Blank followed
course later in the summer,
cooling off in Alaska's mist while
we suffered through 100 degree
heat. John and Joyce Allen
stayed a bit closer to home,
cruising in their houseboat on
Lake Powell in Utah. If there
were a prize for distance
traveled, however, it would go to
the ever-traveling DeWinds who
flew to Australia, then sailed from
Perth to Sydney aboard the
Princess Cruise Line. That's
some awesome cruisin', folks!
Fourteen years and four months
in the making, Wade Lively rolled
out the RV-8 kit plane that he
and Jerry Wiemar of Canyon
Lake built in Ray Modert's
hangar. Completed almost in
time for this summer's Oshkosh
Air Show, the plane's unique
details include: paint and decals
inspired by Wade and Jerry's
years in the Air Force working on
the F-117 Stealth Fighter, custom
instrument panel with Grand
Rapids Technologies, Sport EFIS
(glass panel), custom leather
seats, Lycoming IO-360 turning a
WhirlWind 200 RV carbon fiber
prop with nickel leading edges.
The tail number 844 is one digit
higher than the number assigned
the last built F117 Stealth
Fighter. The engine is 360 cubic
inch, 200 HP and the plane can
fly at about 200 MPH. This is the
first picture taken of the finished
plane and its intrepid pilot!
(Will)
Neighbors, do you have
news?
We invite you to share with
us.
Please let us hear from
you!
(Reva)
Page 7
Neighborhood News (cont.)
Kestrel Artists in Show
Joyce: Twilight Flight
Barbara: Royal Galaxy
Mari: Kinzie’s Lilies
Joyce: My Blue Heaven
Judy: Chocolate Makes the…
Nolan: Knight’s Cabin
Kestrel's Quilting Divas entered 12 of their
quilted works in the New Braunfels Area Quilting
Guild's 2012 Show this summer. Guild shows
occur every 2 years and all of Kestrel's Quilting
Divas have won awards in past shows. Joyce
Allen won ribbons for two entries in the show
this July. An appraisal service is available at
the show and Joyce estimates that the average
quilt typically appraises between $2,000 and
$3,000. Quilting is a very big art form with
college classes devoted to the technique,
national shows and competitions drawing
thousands of participants and spectators, and
an entire industry offering products and services
to quilters. The Quilting Divas were formed
almost 10 years ago by Joyce and then-resident
of Kestrel, Sarah Huie. There are now 8 ladies
in the group beside Joyce: Willie Blank, Mari
Brown, Sharon Clark, Gail Digman, Barbara
McFarlane, Judy Wallace, Joan Williams and
Connie White. The Divas meet every Tuesday
to design and work on their quilts. Final
products are used personally or donated to
charities such as Habitat for Humanity or for
children in need in various locations such as
hospitals, shelters, and schools.
Pictured is Joyce's award winning My Blue
Heaven, an exceptionally large quilt that Joyce
alternately named, “What Was I Thinking?” It
took her some 2 years to complete. Her other
winner was Twilight Flight. Joyce fell in love
with the background fabric on this piece and
designed the dragonflies to compliment the
sunset colors. The other pictures highlight the
variety of works exhibited by Kestrel quilters this
year. Each artist seems to prefer certain colors,
designs & techniques. Barbara McFarlane's
Royal Galaxy favors rich purple hues. Rich
browns reminded Judy Wallace of Nestle
Chocolates and inspired her to name her quilt
Chocolate Makes the Very Best Nestling! Mari
Brown wanted a bright and colorful quilt for her
grandbaby when she designed Kinzie's Lilies.
Not to be outdone by the Divas, our own Nolan
Blank exhibited his first ever quilt in the Senior
Division. His Knights Cabin is a winner in our
book! Congratulations all! Beautiful artwork!
Page 8
Resident Spotlight – The Armen Family
A big yellow Penske truck filled
Flightline Drive in front of the
Armen house on Father's Day.
You couldn't miss it. And with
their household goods, Ben, Amy
and 6 year old Ava Bird had
finally arrived home. The house
they built was completed last
September, but it took many
months before the couple could
leave their Pennsylvania home
where they resided while Ben
was working for Continental
Airlines out of Newark on medical
leave. Prior to Ava Bird's birth,
Amy worked as a flight attendant
for Continental flying international
routes, which was how the
couple met. Originally from Ohio,
Amy had no thoughts of ever
leaving the north. But Ben is from
Reno and Austin and longed to
be back in warm central Texas.
Ben had been researching
Kestrel and other airparks on the
internet. On a cold day in
January 2011, Ben was visiting
with a lifelong friend, Mike
Moore, in Georgetown, TX when
the two decided to try and find
Kestrel in Mike's RV6. They
landed around mid-day at Kestrel
and it was love at first sight. Ben
bought the middle field lot on
Flightline the next day with the
help of Lori Pannell and then
informed Amy. (Oh my, duck and
cover!) A good sport, Amy
partnered in the move, even
bravely saying goodbye to
furniture that wouldn't fit in the 26
foot Penske truck. The Penske
truck was not the intended
moving vehicle but after the
scheduled movers showed up
and doubled the dollar amount of
the estimate, a new plan had to
be developed. Pennsylvania
neighbors and the church pitched
in and with a lot of help made the
move happen.
Ben's major hobby is building kit
airplanes.
With
help
and
guidance from a lifelong friend
and first flight instructor, Deene
Ogden, Ben put together a Van's
RV8, completed October 19,
2011, which is now hangared in
Georgetown, TX. The Armens
plan to build a hangar behind
their new home for Ben's plane
when the time is right. They will
then landscape after the hangar
construction finishes tearing up
the ground. Amy and Ava Bird
intend to get a guard-cat for the
hangar. Ava Bird wants a black
cat with white paws, who she will
name Mittens. Meantime, Ava
Bird is being home-schooled and
making remarkable progress.
When not home-schooling Ava
Bird, Amy is an avid reader,
preferring 19th century Russian
literature and the classics. Amy
also indicates she is willing to
venture into the Kestrel Bunco
circle! And Ben is very interested
and willing to help any aircraft
builders complete their projects
or any other home/hangar
building someone might need
help doing. The Armens have
been gracious hosts whenever
neighbors drop by, and invite
others to visit as well. We extend
our Texas friendly welcome to
this delightful new Kestrel family.
Page 9
End of the Century
Making a spectacular show as it slowly rose into
the Kestrel sky, the Wilkes' Agave Americana, or
Century Plant, mesmerized us as we drove down
Flightline Drive this summer. According to
Wikipedia, the name “Century Plant” refers to the
long time it takes this plant to flower. While it
seems like a 100 years, the plant usually lives 10
to 30 years. At the end of this life span it flowers,
sending a spike with branches of yellow flowers
some 26 feet in the air. Then it dies, leaving
suckers or shoots at its base to begin the next
generation of plants. During its life, the base of the
June 8
th
plant grows slowly, with a spreading rosette of
gray-green, stiff, spiny-edged leaves. The leaves
are about 6 feet long and the rosette spreads to
about 13 feet. Don't fall into this plant – the tips can
pierce to the bone. Originally from Mexico, the
plant is now cultivated widely as an ornamental.
But not by Floyd and Brenda any more. Once the
high winds of July felled their top-heavy agave to
the street, the Wilkes spent the day sawing,
loading, and hauling away the dead body along
with any remaining shoots. For the Wilkes, it was
the end of the century!
th
st
June 30
July 1
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Date/Time
Description
Key Point(s) of Contact
Thu, 20 September, 6:30pm
POA Board of Director‟s Meeting
Mark Deardurff
Sat, 13 October, 10-1pm
POA Bi-Annual Member Meeting
Mark Deardurff
Wed, 31 October, 5-9pm
POA Halloween Party
Danny Ingram
Tue, 6 November
Election Day
Page 10