Kite
Flyer
November 2001 Issue Route
66 Kite Club (R66KC)
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Kite Club Phoenix, AZ
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To Visit Our
Web Site Click Here!
Or go to: www.tmsquared.com/R66KC.htm
(Please note that R66KC is in capital letters.)
Table Of Contents
Please note that there are several Hot Links usually in
blue and underlined for your convenience. To access these simply click on them and
they will take you there. (It is recommended that all articles be read.)
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Hot Buttons |
Descriptions
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Quick Thoughts From
The Editor Loss Of A Great Web
Kite Store New Kiting Events |
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Letter From The Director And/Or AKA News Notes From The Prez AKA Membership Form |
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This Months Flying Schedule 11/11/2001 – Sunday Fly At Riverview 11/24/2001 - Sunday – Fly At Jim Jennings Park |
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What Happened On
Last Months Flys |
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Long Term Dates And
Plans\ |
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Other Items Of
Interest |
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Flying Tips From The Fly’n Hawaiian |
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Fun Kite Stuff
– Line Laundry |
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Lost Puppies And
Things For Sale |
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Cover My Ass Legal
Ease |
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Please Help
Yourselves |
Click
Here For The
Web Site Links
(Just Click On Them And Go!)
Editor’s Notes
"And
once you have tasted flight
you
will walk the Earth with your eyes
skyward,
for there
you have been and there you long to return...."
--
Leonardo DiVinci
Hey Kiters,
Well the kiting community is up for some bad
news. One of the greatest web based kites stores, Gone With The Wind Kites, has
posted a going out of business sale. We are always sad when ANY kite store goes
down, but especially with Dan Whitney. Please go to this site and pick up on
some of his really great deals.
Well kiters we are back in the saddle again with
the good weather and hopefully some good winds. The HOPE Charity Kite Building
event, supported by the Mesa Child Crisis Center, was a great success as far as
the kids go. We hope that all had a great time and perhaps we can put this
event on the calendar for next year.
We hope to gather the troops together over the
Thanksgiving weekend for a fun fly at the Jim Jennings Park. (see Upcoming
Flying Events). So we hope to see
you all out on the fields sometime soon where we can swap lies and share the
sky.
I will be
looking forward to seeing you on the fields very soon.
Keep’em Fly’n
Gadget Man Manson
AKA News Or
Directors Editorial
START PLANNING FOR NATIONALS:
We didn’t have a big crowd in Billings, but those members that
came had an exceptionally good time. Full competition results and reports will
be in your new Kiting which goes in the mail December 1. Mark your calendars
now for AKA 2002 - Ocean City Maryland,
September 30 – October 5.
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BEST RAFFLE PRIZES YET: Check the raffle page -- we've got
some of the best prizes you’ve seen yet!
But don't delay. In just a few days, we draw the winner of the
incredible Martin Lester Top Half.
The Top Half is an $1800 kite designed in England and
assembled by members of the Keystone Kiters. It is an imposing 8.5 by 28 feet and is one of only five in the USA. We
also have tickets for a custom made set of Prism’s “Top
Four” sport kites (December draw). And we have your choice
of any mid-sized Peter Lynn inflatable (January draw). You could win the
Octopus, Gecko, Trilobite, Kitty, or Teddy Bear.
Our newest prize is a hand-painted Edo by Japanese master
Mikio Toki. This exquisite artwork was the centerpiece of the AKA Art Kite
Gallery in Billings. Think how it would look on your wall.
There isn’t a prize in the bunch worth less than $1,600.
And tickets are only $5 each. All we ask is that you buy at least one a month.
Go to the AKA Site at <www.AKA.Kite.Org> and follow the links to the
Great Kite Raffle.
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WATCH FOR SPECIALTY E-NEWSLETTERS: We are now implementing
a plan to publish specialty E-newsletters for members focused on special
interest kiting. That means regular mailings filled with information about
Kitemaking, Sport Kites, Fighters and Roks, or Traction (both buggies and
boards). Register for one or more! The idea is to provide you with the
information you want on the topics that interest you most -- and in more detail
that we could include in the magazine.
Go to “Virtual Clubhouse” at <http://www.aka.kite.org/data/members>. You can
also reach it from the Table of Contents. (Your “name” is your AKA membership
number and your password is your email address). In the Clubhouse, just click
on “Newsletters” and then subscribe to the topic(s) of your choice. You can
choose “all” or come back to the page again to select more than one.
Sorry if this sounds complicated, but it is the only way
to insure that just members subscribe.
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WE’VE GOT GENERAL NEWSLETTERS TOO: Expect to see more of
the E-Affiliate news this year. It is a
special kite newsletter that is available FREE to anyone -- whether they are a
member or not. Non-members can register on the
web page under “Mailing Lists” in the Table of Contents.
Paid members get it automatically.
Tell your kite friends and publish the opportunity in your
local newsletters!
***
MAGAZINE DELIVERY DELAYS: Sending things by post has been
problematic lately. Issues of the September Kiting are still arriving with members
around the USA. International mail is even worse. Some magazines have been
returned with a sticker that says ”we regret that your mail is being returned
to you because of heightened security measures.” We’ve also had overseas mail
returned, stamped “Customs Form Required".
If you live outside the USA and are certain you didn’t get
your magazine, please email Regional Director Sharon Musto at
Region13@aka.kite.org. And thanks for your patience.
On a similar note, our AKA toll-free number is supposed to
work from all over Canada. But we’ve had reports that it does not. We’ve
informed our long distance service provider and are promised that it will be
working properly soon.
***
That’s
all for this month. The next Kiting goes in the mail December 1.
Sign
up for those electronic newsletters and remember to buy a raffle ticket!
Have
fun out there!
dg
*** David Gomberg, President ***
American Kitefliers Association
<http://www.aka.kite.org>
New AKA Membership Poster For you to use or hand out as
needed. (See next page.)
Notes From The Region 12 Director
If the "Art in
the Sky Kite Fly" in Bullhead City and "Kites Over Pismo" on the
Central Coast of Cal are anything like last weekend's event in Seal
Beach...HOLD ON TO YOUR KITE BAGS!!!!!!!
I am completely blown away by the support all of you are giving to YOUR
Region!
I'm just the Messenger, You people make it happen.
Kathy and the Folks from Dream Merchant are working VERY hard on the
finishing touches in Arizona. Kathy,
thank you for bringing it back!!!
I'm heading up to Pismo today to make sure that James from Sky's the
Limit does not get over run by the CLAMS!
If you cannot make it to one these events, take your friends and family
out flying...You deserve it.
Region 12 is back in the Festival Biz!!!!!!!
Best Wishes & Winds,
Glen E. Rothstein
Region 12 Director, American Kitefliers Association -
Come Fly With Us!
www.aka.kite.org
Vice President, Southern California Sport Kite League -
www.scskl.com
Kite Flying hits new heights on the West Coast!...Check it out below:
http://community.webtv.net/OpusFader/VenturaCountyKite
Upcoming Flying Events
Note: All flying events will be from
12:00 noon through 4 or 5 p.m. unless otherwise posted.
11/11/01 – Sunday – Fly At Riverview: (See web site Kite Field Recommendations
for maps.) As per usual the fly times are from 12 noon to about 5pm in the
afternoon. Let’s try to do
dinner and drinks after.
Riverview Park (Southeast) This Park is located approximately one quarter
of a mile south of Highway 202 on Dobson Road. Take the 202 to the Dobson Road
turnoff and head south. The park is on the west side of the road.
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Rating: |
Good |
Restrooms: |
South Side |
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Kiters That Can Fly: |
30 |
Drinking Fountains: |
South Side |
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Non-Kiter Visibility: |
Medium |
Park Benches: |
No |
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Distance To Amenities: |
3 Miles |
Shade Available: |
Lots |
11/24/01 – Saturday – Fly At Jim
Jennings Park: (See web site Kite Field Recommendations
for maps.) As per usual the fly times are from 12 noon to about 5pm in the
afternoon. Let’s try to do
dinner and drinks after.
Please note that this park is hard to find so please
bring the instructions with you!
Jim Jennings Park (North)
Was the “Original Hippie Park”, and can be located by going north on I-17 to
Bell Rd., west on Bell to 29th Ave., then south on 29th
to Grandview, and finally west again on Grandview for two blocks. OR North on
I-17 to the Bell Rd. exit. Then left on Bell Rd. to 29th Ave. which
is a light. Then left on 29th Ave. down to Grandview. (Be careful
this street can pass you by.) And the right on Grandview to the park.
(Note: This park may have
other activities so keep an eye out for us flying on either side of this
field.)
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Rating: |
Great |
Restrooms: |
None |
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Kiters That Can Fly: |
30 |
Drinking Fountains: |
None |
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Non-Kiter Visibility: |
Poor |
Park Benches: |
Yes |
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Distance To Amenities: |
1 Mile |
Shade Available: |
Lots |
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: Lady
Hummingbird and the Gadget Man 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 Reports
10/19-21/2001 Bullhead City Art In The Sky Kite Festival:
Bullhead City did not
seem very active when we arrived, and as we came to the park we noted that
several kite did in fact litter the sky. The wind reports from the local
weather stations had reported no winds to speak of at all, but there they were,
Art In The Sky!
We quickly setup and
made the rounds with Kathy, Rusty, and family, who have spent so much time
making this event happen. I was a pleasure once again to spend time with these
wonderful people along with several of the San Diego Kite Club, and others from
California.
Our
Hosts
The wind was great for
the most part of Friday as seen in the next picture, with many a participant
showing up and adding to the color in the sky.
That evening after much wind and fun, we retired to the Ramada Express and
checked in, and/or freshened up. Billy Mad Dog Dine, was only able to stay for
the one day, (Friday), so Doc, Fly’n Ryan, Lady Jane, and the Gadget Man
proposed a dinner with Kathy and Rusty our fine hosts. A few of the San Diego
Kite Club (SDKC) joined in and was had a wonderful dinner with great brew from
the Colorado Bell Brewery. The Gadget Man bought dinner for all who attended
and we ended the evening with some fine cigars and some more brew. Another
kiting group then join the party and Gadget bought drinks for the rest of the
crew. Gadget must have hit a slot machine when he walked in the nut case. But a
great time was had by all with the last part of the evening ending with a
little black jack and/or slot machine fantasies that we may all go home rich.
Unfortunately the next
two days were not blessed with much in the way of wind and socializing was the
name of the game. Occasionally a light breeze would arrive and many a kite was
launched with an unfortunate demise shortly after. The craft fair was fun and a
band kept the spirits light even though the heat was a little much.
Again was want to thank Dusty and Kathy
for resurrecting this great event and providing such a pleasant
envoronment for this fun event. We will all be looking for this event again
next year and this time, with the wind gods willing, many an Artful Kite In The
Sky one every day.
11/03/2001 – Saturday – HOPE Childrens Kite Building Charity
Event:
HOPE
(Healthy Options for Parents Through Education), an affiliate of the Child
Crisis Center-East Valley, Inc.
Angela
Takagi wrote:
As far as your involvement is concerned, we would love for you to fly kites, give pointers to any of the kids that are trying to fly their kites, bring any information you want on safety, tips for buying or flying kites, etc. (whatever you have available that you feel would be appropriate). If you have enough copies of anything that you would want us to distribute we can put it at our information table or if you just want to bring a flyer, we can have the D.J. read it or one of you guys can step up to the microphone and give us some pointers (whatever you feel comfortable with). We have a pretty flexible schedule other than we have our little awards at noon. We thought it would be really neat for you guys to be out on the field as the event started to motivate the kids to get started with putting their kites together.
Thanks again for your help! Please let me know if you have any questions or need anything! I am looking forward to meeting you on
November 3rd!
Well it was a great day for the
kids although the part had a lot of trees to block the wind. The wind gods were
not smiling down on us once again as it turned out. (Darn the Arizona wind.)
The event was very colorful with lots of Route 66 Kite Club participants to
help out. The banners were up, and a large static display of kites lined the
baseball fields fence. About 100 kids and 60 adults (ball park numbers…. Ha ha)
went to town building and decordating kites for the sky.
The kids did a wonderful job of decorating their kites as
displayed below, with one kid making his kite in the form of an American Flag.
A competition was held for the most artistic kite, the highest, and the
youngest fliers.
And boy did they ever fly! It was then that the rest of the
Route 66 Kite Club was reminded of the exuberance of the young at heart and how
a kite does not really need wind to fly. The kids were running all over the
park and the baseball diamond and had their kites up for the most part. There
were many a kites with building flaws of which many of the R66KC was out making
bridle and bowing adjustments for the kids to aid them in their flying
endeavors. Many thanks to all, and especially Rocky Point Howard and the Gadget
Man.
The club
was praised by the HOPE group for giving them such a show and promised to have
us all back in the spring time for another event. So way to go troops, another
charity event benefits from our love of kites and the fun we can share with the
kids. Another generation will be looking to the skies for something colorful
and exciting.
From: Glen Rothstein
Subject: R66KC Participation in
the Family Kite Festival – HOPE Charity Event
Tom
and my fellow R66KC Members,
Thank
you very much for helping Angela put this together...We can't do
these
things without each other.
Best
Wishes & Winds,
Glen
E. Rothstein
Region
12 Director, American Kitefliers Association -
Come Fly With Us! www.aka.kite.org
(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 & Annual Events
Nothing left for the rest of this
year.
- - - Ideas For New Events - - -
We need help with these so if you have any ideas
that will support this event, please let us know by dropping us a line at: r66kc@tmsquared.com
Sunshine
Acres Children’s Home/Orphanage Charity Event – We need help in
coming up with ideas for this charity.
I have raised $10,000/year for this Children’s home through the Harley
Owners Group (HOG), but do not have a clue as to how the R66KC can raise money
for these needy kids. Please send your ideas to r66kc@tmsquared.com Thanks.
Well you guessed it, I finally came up with an idea. With
all of the events that enjoy having us signal their events with a kite, would
could request donations to our charity on our behalf for our efforts! (yea like
right, what effort... ha ha). So keep this in mind and perhaps we can get more
big event planned, and some real monies for the Sunshine Acres Children’s Home.
We still need
ideas for this Charity Event!
Any thoughts
anyone?
- - - Next Year - - -
01/01/2002
Tuesday - New Years Day Fun Fly (For those of us that can function that is.)