"We Love Esperanza Estates" Green Valley, Arizona 85614

Owners...
Information for Homeowners

Periodico de Esperanza
Homeowners Newsletter
February 22, 2002

Board Room Activities -- By Dave Lantz

The Board vacancy (term expiring in January 2004) was filled with the appointment of Paul Rowland. He is assigned initially to work with Herb Graffweg on the Architectural Control Committee.

Other

To our winter visitors — Please make arrangements for landscape maintenance to your property prior to your leaving for the summer. We would appreciate you leaving notice of the designated party so we can contact them if maintenance becomes necessary during your absence. Leave appropriate information with your neighborhood watch captain.

Next Board Meeting:

March 18 — back at our regular Room at the Bank of America

ESPERANZA ESTATES VOLUNTEERS REPORT -- By Tom Cooke

The Volunteers have substantially completed the new ornamental plantings in the former putting green area near the shuffleboard courts. If you haven't seen them, stop by and take a look. Several appropriate varieties of desert suitable flora are now in the ground, and the appearance is very attractive. A water system is in the process of being installed to serve the individual plants.

The next major aspect of this project will be completing the brick work. It is hoped this can be completed in the relatively near future.

The Esperanza Estates Volunteers Yard Sale will be held at the tennis courts on March 16th. If you have items to donate (which we can really use!) for this sale, please call Melodye Cooke at 399-0455, and a pick up will be arranged.

The new GVCCC Directory by Charl Petry

The new GVCCC directory will be delivered on Thursday, February 28, or shortly thereafter. Please leave your gate unlocked.

Also:

(1) Check your listing in the directory for any changes or corrections you wish to make.

(2) If you are not listed and would like to be in the next edition, please call Charl Petry at 648-2541.

COMMON AREA MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE -- By Tom Cooke

Our maintenance contractor, AAA, continues to do a good job in keeping up our common areas. They are gradually working their way through the subdivision, and are about to start the last major area, being the one south of the upper Regalo homes and north of drainage way 9. They are in Esperanza Estates twice weekly with a several man crew, and are assigned specific tasks by the Board representative as needed.

Residents having specific common area concerns are requested to contact Tom Cooke at 399-0455. Problems within AAA's areas of responsibility can usually be addressed within a very reasonable time.

"Bootleg" common area plantings are continuing to cause problems. Recently the Board was required to spend $1000 of Homeowners Association funds to take out several large common area trees which were threatening a patio wall. These are funds which could have been better used elsewhere. A strong likelihood exists that additional illegal plantings will also have to be removed to prevent damage and excessive maintenance expenses in the future. Deciduous trees are a serious problem in some of the quad lots, and owners unwilling to rake the leaves dropped by these trees may find the trees have to be removed. Once again the Board would like to remind owners of the CC&Rs prohibition about planting anything in the common areas without permission.

With the small amount of rain we have had, along with the soil warming by somewhat higher temperatures, the spring weed crop is starting to appear. Our contract with AAA provides for pre-emergent treatment for the common areas, but this will likely take several applications before it "takes hold." In the meantime, these areas will be treated with weed killer later on in the spring. Homeowners are asked to keep an eye on their own yards, and treat the weeds as they appear. This will aid in keeping Esperanza Estates looking attractive.

The Board has approved distribution of an explanatory memorandum to those homes on the north side of Regalo, between Portillo and Holgado which abut the Bridge Park wash. Over the past few years, there has been some "tinkering" by certain residents with the drainage paths and dry wells in this wash area, and the memo both explains the problems caused by this action and requests that it cease.

Neighborhood Relations -- By Norma Stanley

It has been reported that the "doggie poop" problem has once again reached unacceptable levels.

One resident is so upset that he plans to take action. We wish to inform the dog owner of what will occur so that he or she may make their own decision as to future behavior. If a dog owner is observed leaving a dog mess, their address will be obtained and reported to Animal Control. They, in turn, will visit the dog owner's home and issue a warning. If the dog owner is observed a second time, his or her picture will be taken with a digital camera. This can be printed immediately and sent to Animal Control, who will then issue a citation which entails a fine."

We are also informed that it is against the law to have your pets off leash at any time outside your immediate enclosed yard. You may NOT let them run freely, off leash, in the wash areas. It is also unacceptable to bury dog waste in the wash. Please help us observe these rules and there should be no further problems. Take a baggie with you on your walk and return the waste to YOUR garbage can. Thank you for your help.

TRAIL MAP -- By SHEILA BENNEN

I wish to express my thanks for all the wonderful help I got for getting Esperanza Nature Trail off the ground. (Pun intended)

First to Al Larson, a friend to many in Esperanza Estates, for his delightful cartoons which liven up the map. One of Al's hobbies is doing clever cartoons; he has often contributed to the Tubac paper, "Anza Trails." Thanks also to Bill Milne for injecting some historical perspective to my otherwise dull written description of the trail. It makes the walk much more enjoyable. Lastly to Herb Graffweg who is making trail markers. They will be appearing soon and hopefully make getting lost impossible. Herb will also make signs for our park areas that as yet have no signs. In addition, many thanks to Sam and June Simonson who donated a new American flag for the Esperanza Park. My sincere gratitude to one and all.

New Owner

Doris P. Eberhardt
1107 Calle Excelso

New Phone Number

Gary & Emogene Thibodeau
625-1300

Esperanza Estates Yard Sale -- By Patsy Lantz

The "Volunteers" big semi-annual yard sale is March 16 — 8 a.m. in front of the tennis shed. Donations of patio and household items (in good condition) are needed. All proceeds go to enhance the common areas. For pickup call: Bev at 625-7741, Tess at 625-7353, or Mary at 393-7499.

The yard sale will include a baked goods and citrus fruit table. We would love to have some of your favorite cookies or a cake or bread. If you have excess fruit we will offer it for sale. Regarding baked items or fruit, call Melodye at 399-0455

Esperanza Ladies Spring Luncheon

The Esperanza Ladies Spring Luncheon will be held on April 3, 2002, at the Quail Creek Grill. Social hour is at 11:30 a.m. with lunch served at 12:00 noon.

The price is $14.50.

Menu choices are:

A. Reuben Sandwich with potato salad, or

B. Chicken Cobb Salad

Included in the price is beverage, dessert, tax, and tip. Please make checks out to Shirley Cowie and note your choice of menu item A or B on your check. Checks should be in to: Shirley Cowie 1119 Circulo del Sur, or Patsy Lantz 931 Circulo Napa by...March 27, 2002. A receptacle will be provided at each address.

For more information or if you need a ride, call Marion Bosshart at 625-5661. All Esperanza Estates ladies are welcomed. We look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new.

NAME THAT PARK — A CONTEST ! ! By Sheila Bennen

You will receive in this issue of the Periodico a copy of the new walking trail, save it for your visitors, it will give them a nice overview of our subdivision. Herb Graffweg is presently making signs to mark the trail and identify the park and wash areas.

There are still two unnamed park areas. One is located across the street from the quads at 157-159 Camino Holgado and the other is located at the curve of Circulo Napa between 731-291 Circulo Napa

It has been proposed that we make the park on Circulo Napa into a cactus garden with more varieties of cactus. We would identify each cactus with a sign. We are looking for a volunteer to spearhead this project. Call Sheila Bennen at 399-0501 or Tom Cooke at 399-0455 if you are interested.

Please cut out the entry form below and bring it to the party on the 13th of March. Mark this date on your calendar (see flyer in the Periodico). Each winner will receive a prize.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - detach here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

ENTRY FORM

Holgado Park Napa Park

Name:______________________ Name:_________________________

Person Submitting:________________ Person Submitting:_________________

Lunar Party February 27^th at 7:30 p.m.

Join us at the Esperanza Estates Park for a Lunar Party, to enjoy the full moon, and indulge in some refreshments by the fireside. Goodies for Smores will be provided, along with hot chocolate. Bring a chair, and any other libation you would enjoy in (or out of) your cocoa.

We’ll see you there ! !

Sponsored by members of the Esperanza Estates Volunteers

Walking Park Background -- By Bill Milne

One of our Directors on the Esperanza Estates Board has come up with a novel idea for an informative tour through our subdivision. This walking tour begins at our swimming pool and heads in a westerly direction. By crossing Camino del Portillo from the pool area, you can see a little park that has a sign labeling it as "Bridge Park".

This twofold name originated with a homeowner, Glen Stednitz. This man, in one of his many endeavors, more-or-less took over this little plot of ground. With Board approval and under the watchful eye , along with some aid from our landscape crew, he developed the park area. Glen loved to play cards and Bridge was his favorite game. There was a wooden bridge in the area at this time, so to call the place Bridge Park, fit it like a glove. To add further emphasis to this, Glen shaped some rocks around the bases of some plants, into the insignias of the four suits in a deck of cards and then added contrasting colored stones. A nice touch.

The tour now changes into a nature trail by climbing up a set of steps, just south of the park, and heading west alongside a row of palm trees. Eventually you will come to a concrete drive between two Quad units. Take it out to Camino Holgado. Cross this street into another park area, walk over a wooden bridge voluntarily made and donated by Ron Keilbart. Go west to Circulo del Sur and proceed to the tennis courts. Turn south here for a short spell. Take the dirt road you are on as it turns east and you are on your way back towards the pool area. Follow this trail up to and across Camino Holgado.

In 1983 the next three houses lost their patio walls and yards to flood waters. Continue east and before you cross Camino Portillo a gate appears in a retaining wall. This wall lost 120 feet of masonry to this same 1983 flood.

After you pass an oleandar hedge on your left, the next house lost its sun room to the flood. The house with the arched window was the next flood casualty when a bedroom collapsed and was carried away. End of heavy flood damage.

Continue east and another colorful park will appear. Turn north after touring this area and follow this dirt road to the next parklike area. This is Whigham Park with Whigham Wash bisecting it. North of here is the original Whigham home. Earl Whigham our developer lived here. Go north to Calle del Ensalmo and the tour ends back where it started, at the swimming pool.

Congratulations you have completed a one and one-half mile tour. You picked up some history of our subdivision. You gained a partial knowledge of the vastness of our common areas. We hope you enjoyed your day with us. March 18 April 15 May 20 June 17 July/August - none September 16

Sponsored by the Hospitality Committee

Mark your calendars for March 13th

from 3 PM

At the Pool Park

TO GET UPDATED ON THE NEWEST AMENITIES BY VOLUNTEERS
TO BE WITH NEIGHBORS & NEWCOMERS
TO SHARE FOOD & DRINK
TO ENJOY BEING OUT-OF-DOORS IN OUR DESERT WINTER
TO NAME OUR UNNAMED PARKS.
BRING THE SUGGESTION FORM FROM THE PERIODICO

EEHOA WILL FURNISH -

ICE
PAPER PLATES AND NAPKINS
PLASTIC GLASSES AND FORKS
TABLES

YOU BRING -

FINGER FOOD TO SHARE
A BEVERAGE OF YOUR CHOICE
FOLDING CHAIRS

NO PARKING ON ENSALMO FROM PORTILLO TO THE POOL

In our world full of strangers . . . we witness a . . . search for a hospitable place where life can be lived without fear and where community can be found from Reaching Out, by Henri Nouwen

POTPOURRI -- By Tom Cooke

Audrey Ware has donated a bench for placement in the cactus park located in the southeast corner of Esperanza Estates. It will give walkers a place to stop for a rest and have a mountain view. Thanks, Audrey!

Names are being selected for our several small unnamed natural areas. The area on Napa between Ensalmo and Regalo is being considered for the name "Whigham Wash." For those not familiar with Earl Whigham, he was the original developer of Esperanza Estates. Further to the north on Napa, the name "Wishing Well Park" seems to be an appropriate name for the area of the EE wishing well. The EE Volunteers are considering the name "Sunset Park" for the former putting green area which is under has recently been planted and is otherwise under refurbishment. Over 2200 pounds of trash were recently removed by volunteers from the state trust land immediately to the west of the subdivision. Most of this had earmarks of having been dumped there by EE residents over the past few years. Residents are reminded that this is not EE property and no dumping of any kind is allowed in the area. In past years, the Association has made use of this land, with permission of the current lessee; however this permission is now in jeopardy of being withdrawn because of abuse of the area. If withdrawn, the many EE walkers who enjoy a desert stroll through this land will be denied access as well. Please do not dump anything on this property in the future.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES FROM INTERVIEWS 2000-200 l -- by Phyllis Johnson

"Chuck" Shipman, our current Pima County Justice of the Peace, was a delight to interview because of his open assessment of how he and his wife Pat happened to settle down in Esperanza Estates and get involved in Green Valley affairs: 

" . . . I came from Ann Arbor, Michigan  in  1987. . . We didn't come here to retire, we came because my wife Pat's mother and father had been retired here since the early seventies living in Casa Paloma I. . . . When they became disabled, we came out, bought a home in our Estates, and took them to live with us for five years until they died. . . . [Not ready to retire]. . . . we've come to this Green Valley place, which is a lovely place, but people came here to get away from work. . . . So I considered myself very fortunate to get a job with the Green Valley Coordinating Council . . . .  [subsequently], I was elected Justice of the Peace. . . . And . . . I did the newsletters for Esperanza Estates. . . I don't know if they kept any of them or not.  But I had a good time doin' it . . ."