Kite
Flyer
April 2000 Issue Route
66 Kite Club (R66KC)
|
Kite Club Phoenix, AZ
|
NEW Format Due To Our New Web site
Click Here To Go To Our New Web Site
Table Of Contents
(Just Click On The Left
Item Of Interest. It is recommended that all articles be read)
|
Hot Buttons |
Descriptions
|
|
Quick Thoughts From The Editor |
|
|
Letter From The Director And/Or AKA News |
|
|
This Months Flying Schedule |
|
|
What Happened On Last Months Flys |
|
|
Long Term Dates And Plans |
|
|
Other Items Of interest |
|
|
Questions To The Club |
|
|
Unanswered Questions From Before |
|
|
HELP ME! |
|
|
Notes From Our Very Own Kite And Banner Maker |
|
|
Fun Kite Stuff |
|
|
Lost Puppies And Things For Sale |
|
|
Cover My Ass Legal Ease |
|
|
Please Help Yourselves |
Web Site Links
Reminder: I will be publishing anything and
everything that comes my way that relates to kites. If you wish to communicate
with me, and DO NOT want something
used in the Kite Flyer, please indicate what part of your E-mail is private.
Otherwise, everything is fair game. Send me something, come on, I dare
you! In any event, I could really use the help. R66KC@TMSquared.com.
Well National Kite Month (NKM) is finally here! Take a gander at the
kiting events for this month and plan to attend as many as possible. We will
have the new shirts ready by the Anthem Fun Fly, so come on down and show some
group spirit with the new shirts. In addition, a new AKA banner has arrived
which looks great, and Al-Habib the Tent Maker says the new R66KC Banners will
be finished by then as well. So we
should have lots of club pride to share with all of the spectators for the NKM
events. We have also had lots of interest in the May, San Diego Sister Fly
event, so check out the info in Future Events
and get your reservations in right away in order to share the fun. In addition,
interest has been generated in a Kite Fest at Rocky Point. Interested parties
should contact the club at: r66kc@tmsquared.com
The following is a personal invite form our sister club for the May event:
Hi Tom,
Sorry for not getting
back to you sooner. I seem to have more email to read and write lately than
time to do it in! The SDKC has indeed decided to move our monthly meetings to
the second Saturday of the month, which in May will be the 13th. We'd be
delighted if you'd join us late morning in Mission Bay Park just south of the
Hilton for some flying and a pot luck lunch. I'll spread the word about your
bar-b-queue, which I assume is an evening event.
Thanks for staying in touch,
Susan
Directors
Editorial And/Or AKA News
I have chosen to reprint, (retype
actually), and article from the March Issue of the AKA Kiting magazine, regarding
Ray Bethell. I have met Ray, who is one of the nicest people you could ever
hope to meet. His love of people, the sport, and his talent for flying three
kites at a time, are inspirational as well as legendary. So please enjoy this
article, and if you are real lucky, you might even get to meet this living
legend some day!
Hour after hour he stands ---
bare to the waist, back to the wind, sun ablaze overhead; wind and sand, heat
or cold, fatigue and curious spectators fail to interrupt his concentration.
Ray Bethell guides his matched kites through intricate patterns, controlling
three dual line kites with exquisite accuracy. A Mapleleaf split, a starburst,
then, almost casually, a triple refuel --- curiosity turns to amazement and
morphs to awe as the show continues. The audience stands transfixed then tires
and drifts to another activity but Ray flies on, awaiting the next wave of
spectators and exploring the wind window for a new pattern to trace across the
sky.
I new Ray only by reputation until
we met at the Nationals at Long Beach, Washington. I had been assigned as field
director for the Open Innovation Event. Ray came striding across the beach
toward me. “Mr. Field Director,” he called, beckoning. Patiently, Ray explained
that he needed only a tap on his shoulder to signal the beginning of his
music. At 70 plus years, Ray is a
miracle of conditioning and endurance but his talents extend beyond the
mechanics of flying. It isn’t remarkable that he flys to music, that he hits
his cues on the beat, that the movements of those kites evoke deep emotions,
not remarkable until you realize that Ray is almost totally deaf. “I hear the
music in my head,” he says. Ray brings more to kiting than technique. He brings
creativity and a strong love of people, all of which blends into an astonishing
show, and presentation in demand around the globe. He came to kiting late, in
his fifties. He spotted a few fliers with stacks of Hyperkites while on holiday
in Hawaii. The kites spoke to him in a strange, new way and he invested $208.00
in a pack of six. Back home in Vancouver, he and his son worked for many hours,
attempting to launch the stack with no success. His son gave up in disgust but
Ray stayed on, studying the situation with the same persistent curiosity the he
brought to bear in his job as a Millwright. He puzzled with the problem until a
sudden burst of insight revealed that the bridle points were trapped beneath
the lower spreaders. {Greatness springs from humble beginnings, Ray.} A simple
correction launched a new career when those birds soared aloft.
Hours of practice turned into
weeks, weeks to months, and months to years as his fascination gained strength.
He taught himself to fly a dual line kite with one hand, then one in each hand
and then three at once. People noticed, sponsors appeared, events beckoned and
Ray flew on. Today, Ray Bethell is in demand around the world. Europe, Asia,
Australia, North America, wherever event organizers stir their magic brew, the
first invitations always include Ray as honored guest. Why does he keep at it?
He has the awards, the recognition, three World Records, accolades and
testimonials. “No problem,” says Ray, “I love my job and I love people.
Everywhere I go men, women, and children seem to understand what I do. I taught
a man to fly who had no body from the waist down, and a helicopter pilot,
paralyzed from a crash. A man in Singapore gave me his hat. He spoke no English
but his meaning was clear. He gave a gift in return for the gift he received. I
still wear that hat today as a reminder that I speak a universal language,
which allows me to relate to people across the world. I know of no other
activity that allows such a high level of communication between people of
diverse backgrounds, customs, and languages.” Salute mate.
By Charles Stonestreeet of
Richmond, VA
March Issue Of the AKA
Kiting Magazine
Upcoming
Flying Events
Note: All flying events will be from 12:00
noon through 4 or 5 p.m. unless otherwise posted.
The
Big Event Of The Season!
NKM Anthem Fun Fly – 04/08/00 – Saturday: Take I-17 North
about five miles from the Carefree Highway, north of Phoenix. Exit at the
Anthem Way exit, then turn right and drive into the community. As you come to
the park fountains, take another right (before the fountains) and proceed to
the second parking lot on the left. The event if from 10am to 4pm, and will be
a long day so bring your shade, water, and chairs. You will need to arrive
early to get good parking because this will be a big event. This event is the
grand opening of the new Del Web Anthem complex and so there will be lots of
vendors, and events all over the place. The Fun Fly sponsors, “Play-It-By-Air /
I-maginations / ArFF” have requested that we bring our short line sets due to
the limited space available. In this way, we should be able to get more people
on the field at the same time. This will be the biggest event of the season, so
come and join the fun.
Second
Annual!
Second Annual Peoria Sports Complex Easter Fly – 04/22/00 – Saturday:
The second annual "Dolly
Sanchez Memorial Easter Egg Hunt and Kite Fly" will take place on April 22,
inside the Peoria Sports Complex, 16010 N. 83rd Ave. (just east of the loop 101
and Bell Rd, then take 83 Ave. south, and you can't miss it)
Kite time is from 11:45am to 2:00pm, the field will be split in half, allowing the kids to fly on one side while the experienced flyers give demonstrations to the public on the other. All flyers are welcomed to come and fly for the public. Space will be tight on the field so "EZ-ups" (canopies) will not be needed, just bring your kite bags, chairs, and maybe a banner or two. Flyers should meet at the South Gate promptly at 11:00am.
Many of you were there last year
and know the layout, but for those that weren't let me add this, we will be
flying inside a Baseball Stadium! The home turf of the "Seattle
Mariners" Spring Training camp!
This is also a charity event for
the "Dolly Sanchez Memorial Fund", and there will be carnival rides,
games, pony rides, and of course the "Easter Bunny" will make a
special appearance during the egg hunts. Some new "attractions" have
been added this year to the event including a live band at home plate, an on
field MC for the kite demonstrations, and access to the giant electronic
scoreboard so you can see your names up in lights.
Organized by Dave Evans
Easter Fly
Ascension Tradition – 04/23/00 – Sunday: No Fly Planned Due To
Easter. But a Guyana tradition has been passed along that should be shared with
all. So if you get a chance to get one up on Easter, please do so, and think of
the tradition that Juan is sharing with us!
Tom,
We have a tradition in
the country I'm from (Guyana) to fly kites during Easter especially Easter
Sunday. Actually, this is the only time kites are flown in Guyana. The reason
being that sending a kite up into the skies is significant of Jesus's resurrection
and ascension to the Father. I am keeping this tradition with my family and
plan on flying Easter Sunday.
Let me know how many responses you got for Easter Sunday or didn't get?
Thanks a lot.
Juan
Sorry Juan, two thirds
of the club elected to have the NKM Plateau Park Fun Fly on the 30th
instead of Easter, but we will all be with you in spirit. If anyone, including
Juan, has or knows about traditions such as this, please send them in so that
we can share them all with the rest of the club.
So let’s all join Juan and Guyana in this
wonderful Easter Ascension tradition!
Architects Display Their Designs – 04/28/00 – Friday: The
Architectural firm:
Orcutt/Winslow Partnership
1130 North Second Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Will be demonstrating their kite
designing efforts this Friday, at what was reportedly going to be the south
bank of the new Tempe Lake. When we have more information on where and when
this event will be taking place, we will e-mail an update so that those that
can break away may attend. Hopefully I will remember my camera and get pics of
all the new kite concoctions. We will be inviting the new kite builders to the
Plateau Park Fun Fly the following Sunday!
Our
Own NKM Event!
Plateau Park Fun Fly – 04/30/00 – Sunday: Will be at the
Plateau Park, (see web site Kite
Field Recommendations for additional directions). This park is located approximately 100 Yards north of Union Hills on 16th
Street. Take I-17 north to Union Hills, and go east to 16th Street.
Then go north on 16th Street to Wescott and turn east. Parking can
be found about 100 yards east of 16th Street on Wescott. We fly at
the northern most ball field.
|
Rating: |
Fantastic |
Restrooms: |
Yes |
|
Kiters That Can Fly: |
30 |
Drinking Fountains: |
Yes |
|
Non-Kiter Visibility: |
Great |
Park Benches: |
No |
|
Distance To Amenities: |
2 Miles |
Shade Available: |
Limited |
This event is our own Route 66 Kite Club NKM event, and the first one we
have put together ourselves. This event is a pure Fun Fly event, and is open to
the public. We have no sponsors, nor vendors, nor anything fancy planned. We
just want to invite one and all to come and have some fun, and enjoy the wind
with anyone that is interested. We expect to have a number of onlookers, and
will be demonstrating our stunt kite skills. We also plan to have, as many
Beetles as we can muster, and offer training to anyone that is interested. If
you have any additional ideas regarding this event, please contact me (thomas.m.manson@boeing.com)
as soon as is possible, so that we might include your ideas in this minor
event. We will be looking for members that are interested in assisting with
this event in the areas of setup, demonstrations, Beetle training, and general
support. So give me a holler (thomas.m.manson@boeing.com) We hope to
see you all out in the wind at this event.
Note: By popular demand and the desire
to socialize after a fly with a meal and possibly drinks, the club flying
events will be moving, periodically,
to SATURDAYS!!! Stay tuned as to when
this will start. Park selection will be
alternated so that no single group of individuals will have to drive a long way
all of the time.
Special
Note: Jane
and I have purposely bought three
indestructible Beetles for guests! Please
do not hesitate to ask for them when you have a guest attending our events.
Latest Fly
Report
Architect’s Demo – 03/03/00 - Friday A local architectural firm
has contacted the club and has requested design information for a fun
socialization activity. They plan on designing their own kites and will fly
them at the end of April. To this end we have pointed them to several kite
design web sites, (which can be found in Al-Habib The Tent Makers section of
this newsletter). Billy Mad Dog Dines, Al-Habib, and the Gadget man attended
one of their Fridays after work gatherings and assembled numerous kites for
their review. Mad Dog was instrumental in giving some history and technical
pointers on the designs, and Al-Habib provided many hands on experience tips to
building a kite with insights on fabrics and shops etc. They will be flying
their designs April 28th (again on a Friday), and we will post a
personal invitation for them to join us at our NKM Plateau Park Fun Fly the
following Sunday. (If I can remember my camera, duh, I will have some photos of
their works.) The following are some pictures of our displays for the architect
thanks to the always thinking, Mad Dog Dines. The first one was made by our
contact Tracy Lee, and flys great as a dragon kite made out of a hula-hoop.
The architectural firm that sponsored this event is:
Orcutt/Winslow Partnership
1130 North Second Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Off Weekend Recommended Fly Report For – 03/05/00 – Sunday:
Was at the Shermanator Park, (see web site Kite Field Recommendations
for directions). No fly report available.
Club Fly Report For – 03/12/00 – Sunday: Was at Dell Webb’s
Anthem, (see web site Kite
Field Recommendations for directions).
Well as we arrived we noted that
the park area was still under construction so to review the area, we drove
around the whole park to review the fields and see which park might be the one
that would be used for the Anthem Fun Fly. We pulled into a parking lot that
said “No Entry, Construction Vehicles Only”, to just take a look, and thinking
the wouldn’t be any construction activity on a Sunday. Well we hadn’t been
there more that two minutes when a security guard showed up on a bicycle asking
us to move to the next parking lot. This turned out to be a good thing because
he wanted to know more about our kites, and gave us the whole layout of the
events that will be going on for the Anthem Fun Fly.
We had a great turnout
with several old faces returning to the fold. Val for one, even brought their
two kids who were a joy to play with. Many tickles were exchanged, and much
chasing around the field was done, with the old Gadget Man getting plenty worn
out trying to play keep away. In the end, the Gadget Man was awarded a fine
two-sided color drawing for the fun times that he had shared.
And Dennis “The
Menace” (now known as “Doc”) along with Fly’n Ryan made a showing as well. It
was nice to have their schedules back to joining us. Ryan was especially
entertaining when he opted not to fly a two-line kite, and instead took control
of Mad Dog Dine’s single line Elephant Kite. He just hung out under the tent
and watched the action, and did nothing while we all fought the up and down
winds. Then, when no one was expecting it, across the field roles the Elephant
halo reel, flying all by itself! With a mad dashing Fly’n Ryan right on it’s
heels chasing it. We all about died laughing as he made a flying tackle to
retrieve the reel that he had accidentally released. Doc made the statement
that he did not recall the last time that he had seen his son move so fast.
In addition to the old faces, we had several new ones that are now in the
process of joining our club. Oren “The Ornery Milkman” who is new to the sport
was there to sample some of our fun. We lent him a Beetle, his first two liner,
and he took to it like a fish in water. He loved it so much that he now owns a
Beetle and several other kites. Below is a picture and his thoughts on his
first fly with the club. In addition, we got to meet the new folks from New
Mexico who had only recently contacted us through the internet. Mike, Mary, and
son were on their way back to New Mexico from Phoenix where they were closing
on a new house, when they recalled the last news letter’s talk about the Anthem
fly. Their son noticed the kites from the Highway, and they stopped for a quick
fly prior to returning to their travels. They all three fly, with their son
Mike picking up the Beetle and taking off like a pro. It will be fun to have
them join the club after they get settled in their new home, and they plan to
be joining us at the Anthem Fly.
Well Jane the Hummingbird once again put us all to shame flying longer
than anyone else on one side of the field. The winds were strong enough for some
of the big single liners that we attempted to keep up, but to no avail due to
the stop and go winds. And we all left having a great time with lots of
spectators and a great idea of what the Anthem Fun Fly might be like. The
following picture by The Ornery Milkman, show one of the big kites and one of
the little spectators who were in awe of the flying beasts.
Tom,
It's Oren, hey! Thanks
again, that 2 liner- was fun, I just ordered a Beetle, and a Pi. which is a
Zero+ kite, I think the Beetle was what you let me fly,.....both come complete
with handles and lines. I also ordered
a 3 pack of 'toy' types for $22 because I wanted the nylon airplane kite $9.50,
and they bundled it in with a delta type and something else- I forget-for 22.50
so....like any enthusiast I got the bundle.
I upgraded the shipping and the total was $137, I think they'll be here
well ahead of our next 'fly' 2 weeks from now. I'll join AKA and get with you
about membership in R66KC. If I can help financially let me know. I'm not rich but I have a little extra. I'm
kind of shy,....when I know you better, I'm fun to be around.
I'm still interested in the mathematics of the fly, and 'Doc' was telling
me where to find stat's on wind - on the net. haha. I have had several MD buddies in the past, they are a cool breed.
Is he and MD? I just got the impression
he was. If I can get a detailed scientific analysis of the situation, I'll be
more comfortable. Oh well, Geeksters
Unite!
Thanks for a fun afternoon, I've ordered some kites that'll fly, and I
still want the 'clipper ship' and the 'biplanes', and some specialty things,
but it's a payday by payday thing..........
Thanks again,
Oren
(By the way, Oren, Dennis is an RN but you have just upgraded him to MD,
and we will change his handle from Dennis The Menace, to “Doc”, thanks to you.
How do you like your new handle “The Ornery Milkman” ha ha.)
Note: If you are new, please let us
know your nickname, BEFORE we give you one! Or ELSE ha ha ha ha ha ha.
Off Weekend Recommended Fly Report For – 03/19/00 – Sunday:
Was at the Original Hippie Park, (see web site Kite Field Recommendations
for directions). No fly report available.
8th Annual Tucson Spring Kite Fiesta Fly Report For – 03/19/00
– Sunday:
(Sorry, we were not notified so this did not appear on
our “Upcoming Flying Events” calendar.)
Reported by our reporter in the sky and on the field Jim (The Original Hippie) Jennings
The Tucson fly was sponsored by
Coyote Kite Club, I-Magination and the Pima County Parks and Recreations
department. Everything went smooth and it was very well attended. A really nice
sound system played good flying music all day. It was Sunday morning and there
were strong gusty winds, which dwindled down to light winds by the afternoon.
Hugh McDowell and I arrived
around 9:00 and met up with a lot of old friends and even made some new ones.
Funny how those kinds of things happen around kites. The main field was about the
size of a soccer field with plenty of room around the edges for tents,
umbrellas, shade and access to a bathroom. All of the things you look for in a
good flying field. There were so many banners and some folks from Oregon (sorry
I didn't get their names) had an awesome display of very large Deltas with
plenty of wind toys all around. There was a really impressive Delta with an
Olympic Ring pattern in a baseball park full of single line stuff that included
everything from dime store Deltas to “OH My God” Stuff.
The high point of the day was Ron
Reich's kite demo. He performed precision flying figures and his Master Class
ballet fly. WOW! What emotion he exhibits and extracts from his audience with
two count them, two kites. (and of course some really great winds). After Ron's
demo I had a chance to talk with him about this great wind and I found out his
secret. Ron says he just asked the head kite flyer, you know the guy with the
clouds, rainbows, thunder and stuff like that in his bag, "for wind to
share his gift with everyone there."
WOW
We had a great six-man team fly demo showing what can happen when everything works. I believe it was Bryan, Joanne, Dave, Ken and Rob with Ron leading the way. It was a great show enjoyed by everyone, as was evident with all of the oohs and aahs from a really large crowd. We also had a great trick demonstration from Bryan. He really showed how trick demos are done. I have never seen a kite dance like that on purpose. He showed what a kite is capable of doing with a lot of practice and lots of skill. The field was open to everyone for stunt flying between on and off and it was well used. They also had a great candy drop for the kids with one of Burt's awesome Rocs. The kids got bombed real good. Steve Van Herpen took out his Prism Ozone when the wind was all but dead and gave a great demo of antigravity flying (a.k.a. Arizona Flying). I think some people call it indoor flying (Ha Ha Ha). The day ended with a nice breeze and everyone flying on the main field for one last time. The fly was followed by a lot of hugs and "see you at the Anthem fly" and back home to Phoenix we went.
I would like to thank everyone
for a great event. Coyote Kite Club, I-Magination and the Pima County Parks and
Recreations department and most of all you guys who shared the day and the sky
with us. Special thanks go to Hugh McDowell for the ride to Tucson, which made
the fly possible, and more fun for me.
Your reporter in the sky and on
the field Jim (The Original Hippie) Jennings
Club Fly Report For – 03/26/00 – Sunday: Was at the
Chaparral Park, (see web site Kite
Field Recommendations for directions).
Well this fly was a gas. The park
is tucked away but a beautiful place with lots of spectators. When we got there
we found a large family from India at the southwest side of the field with 20
plus single liner plastic kites up in the air and The Original Hippie Jennings
out teaching a father son team the ropes on a two liner. This father son team
was with a birthday group on the north side of the field, but spend most of the
time with the kite crew. At the end of the day, the father called Gadget Man to
the side and asked for more information, explaining that he was a single dad,
and that this was the most fun that he and his son had had together in a long
time. He was anxious to by a couple of kites so that he and his son could get
closer. I eagerly handed him a Gone With The Wind Kite Catalog, with several
business cards to shops that work from the internet, and encouraged him to join
us any time. I think that we will see more of him and his son in the future.
We had a great turnout with a
return of our roaming marauder Hugh McDowell. Hugh showed up with his trademark
shopping cart full of kites, and the biggest kite bag you ever saw. Many of us
were envious due to our overstuffed bags, and the need for a second or third
bag. Hugh has it all in one bag. Check it out the next time you see him. Hugh
and Jim began doing some team flying when all of a sudden we noticed that Hugh
had taken up gardening, and was attempting to prune the top of a tree. We all
wondered if he had a permit from the parks department, when Hippie man swung
his kite up and through Hugh’s lines for a three-attempt lift out and away from
the kite eating tree! Nice flying guys. But that is just like old Jimmy,
dazzling the passers by with some stunts right by the sidewalk, and making many
attempts to remove the Gadget Man’s hat when he’s not looking.
The Shermanator was tearing up
the field getting better and better all of the time. I would expect to see old
Shermy out there competing some day soon. Well the new AKA banner looked great,
and we all had a blast, and we all parted company looking forward to the next
fly.... The Anthem Fun Fly! See you all
there!
(Special Note: We need to find more parks with an audience to introduce
more non-fliers to the sport. Some discussion at the last fly was made of
parks that might fit the bill. Please send in your recommendations ASAP
so that we can start trying them out. R66KC@TMSquared.com.)
Future Events
Sunshine Acres Children’s Home/Orphanage Charity Event –
Currently being reviewed. And has yet to be determined. (How
can we work this into the National Kite Month?)
(NEW) Rocky Point Kite
Festival (NEW) – Is currently being worked on by our newest
member Rocky Point Howard, along with Mad Dog Billy Dines. Anyone interested in
this event should contact R66KC at: r66kc@tmsquared.com
Here is what Howard has found:
Hi Tom,
Just got back from
Rocky Point, Mexico and I've got something interesting to propose. The week was
terrific for kite flying. I met several flyers from all parts of the country
staying at different campgrounds.
I happen to know some very influential people in RP (Mayor, Congressman and
news media people) and mentioned that an International Kite Festival in town
sometime in the fall would be a terrific event. They all agreed. My contacts
indicated they could probably get several sponsors including Tecate and local
American and Mexican business folk. I also spoke to Pablo (The kite shop owner)
and he was very interested.
So what do you think? If this idea sounds reasonable, how would we go
about putting this together? Let me know your thoughts.
Regards,
Howard
05/12-05/14/2000 – Route 66 Kite
Club Fly With Our Sister Club the San Diego Kite Club (SDKC). Come and tryout some really great winds with
loads of fun for the whole family. Sea World, Old Down, Seaport Village,
Mission Bay, Mission beach, the ocean, shopping, and a myriad of other things
for the family to do. We will be joining the SDKC, (http://www.sdkc.net) at their Mission Bay Park for a Sister
club fly on Saturday, with a night fly on the beach Saturday evening. A
Saturday evening barbecue will be promoted as well. We would like to have
everyone stay at the same hotel if possible for easier logistics. The “Beach
Cottages” hotel is on Mission Boulevard (858) 483-7440 and right on the beach
for everyone’s enjoyment with lots of shops and restaurants within easy walking
distance. The rooms run from $75-$85/night for hotel rooms through $250/night
for a two-bedroom cottage. Jane and I
have a one-bedroom cottage that we all can congregate at, so my recommendation
is the cheaper rooms. Everyone should
get their reservations in early because this is a popular place. Hope to see
you all there!
09/22-09/24/2000 – September
San Diego Sister Club in San Diego w/ the San Diego Kite Club Event.
More information to follow when available. See the 05/12/2000 event for lodging
information.
10/08/2000 – One Sky One World
(OSOW) Annual kite event for world piece. More to follow as information
becomes available.
Note: Any ideas for events, please
contact the Gadget Man at: R66KC@TMSquared.com.
Other News
The New R66KC Shirts Are In!
We got a great deal on the shirts, after some major investigations and
haggling, and the shirts have finally been purchased. The deal included the
ability of the club to have small quantities of shirts printed at any time for
the same cost per shirt. So we can have shirts made for new members at any
time! The shirts will be available for pickup at any of the flying events from
the Gadget Man. An the cost per shirt runs as follows:
Polo Shirts Of All Sizes Except
XXXL $22.00
T-shirts XXXL $15.00
T-shirts Other Sizes $14.00
Tank Tops All Sizes Except XXXL $13.00
New From Our Sister Club, The San Diego Kite Club
(SDKC)!
Hi Thomas,
We are in the process
of moving our web site to a new server. I'm told that it should be completed
within the next week or so. The correct address is www.sdkc.net. Sorry for the
"dead in the water" appearance, but it is out of my control. As the
new webmaster, I will include a link to your site as requested. I'll just need
to know your URL.
As for the 13th of May, there is a possibility that our regular club
meetings may be moved from the third to the second Saturday of the month. If
that happens, it could work out well with your plans. The move will be
discussed at our meeting this coming Saturday and we should be able to tell you
more after that. I will forward the
information to our newsletter editor so the invitation will get out to our
membership and I will add it to our web site as well.
Thanks for the info and we'll look forward to something in May!
Susan
SDKC VP/Webmaster
Rocky Point Kite Festival In The
Fall Suggested! If you did not catch the info in the “Future
Events” sections, here is what we have from our latest member, Rocky Point
Howard! Interested parties should contact the club at: r66kc@tmsquared.com
Hi Tom,
Just got back from
Rocky Point, Mexico and I've got something interesting to propose. The week was
terrific for kite flying. I met several flyers from all parts of the country
staying at different campgrounds.
I happen to know some very influential people in RP (Mayor, Congressman
and news media people) and mentioned that an International Kite Festival in
town sometime in the fall would be a terrific event. They all agreed. My contacts
indicated they could probably get several sponsors including Tecate and local
American and Mexican business folk. I also spoke to Pablo (The kite shop owner)
and he was very interested.
So what do you think? If this idea sounds reasonable, how would we go
about putting this together? Let me know your thoughts.
Regards,
Howard
Reminder: AKA Registration Renewal Due
Believe it or not, it is time to renew your membership in the American
Kitefliers Association (AKA). We hope you
have found membership in the AKA beneficial and look forward to you being with
us in the future. The easiest way to renew is click on or access this web site:
http://www.aka.kite.org/mbr_app.html
and follow the instructions.
At the web site, you can either renew your membership using a VISA or
MasterCard or download a membership application and mail it to us. (If you are
concerned about giving your credit card over the internet, read the page on
credit card number security and/or phone in your number.)
Your comments on the AKA are important to us. Feel free to add them to
your renewal or send them directly to us by replying to this email address: xd@aka.kite.org
Thanks again for being part of the AKA.
Mel Hickman
Executive Director
800-252-2550
Reminder: Registration Renewal Timeframe Selected For R66KC
It has been determined
that it would be too difficult to track and contact each one of you
individually, as to when your Club dues become due. Due to this, the May
timeframe has been selected as the date for club membership renewal. Also, dues
collected at any other time of year from new members will not be pro-rated. Our
intent is to keep the process simple, and keep the dues down to
$5.00/person/year, which is cheep compared to some clubs that charge as much as
$25.00/person/year. If anyone has any problems with this please contact me at
your earliest convenience.
New kiters are STILL calling from all over
the country. Thanks to our
listing on the AKA web site, and in the AKA magazine, calls continue to come in
inquiring about out club and it’s activities. When you hear of anyone
interested in the club, please be sure to share our web site: www.tmsquared.com/R66KC.htm
(please note that the R66KC part of the web address is in capitals). Or the
clubs new e-mail address R66KC@TMSquared.com so that they
can be added to the distribution list for the club newsletter.