Periodico de Esperanza
Homeowners Newsletter
September 30, 2003

Board Meeting Notes – By Norma Stanley, Vice-President

By unanimous decision of the Board of Directors of Esperanza Estates, it was decided that every effort will be made to set and maintain the swimming pool temperature at 83 degrees--give or take 2 degrees. The Board plans to continue using Casa Verde Pools as their pool cleaning service. The Board is looking into obtaining information to install a solar heating system as soon as funds are available---this in the hopes that we will be able to maintain the pool at a more constant temperature to everyone's satisfaction, as well as have a much more efficient and up to date system.

Common Areas Maintenance – By Tom Cooke, Chair

A couple of the downsides of the annual monsoon season are the weed growth it promotes, and the sand that washes into some of our streets.

The weeds are being attacked with one of our annual sprayings, which, by the time you read this, should be substantially complete. Weeds killed by the spray are then removed mechanically a couple of weeks later. A substantial part of the washed out sand is generally removed by the County (although in the past this has been "iffy" at times). The balance of the sand is then frequently removed by some of our volunteers. Recently, Bill Milne, Steve Brown, and Jerry and Delores McCall have been taking care of most of this work, for which we thank them very much for their efforts. This is hard work! These same volunteers are continually making themselves useful in Esperanza Estates. Bill Milne has volunteered to take care of about a dozen palms, along with the many other things he does for us regularly. The McCalls have recently completed some valuable work at the pool ramada area, replacing some sand base for the brick work that had been damaged by the monsoon rains. Steve Brown (along with a lot of help from Don and Joan White) works regularly to keep the Mt. View Park area looking neat and attractive.

Jerry and Delores also recently raked back the gravel around each of the many fire hydrants in the subdivision after they had been repainted by the fire department.

Our power company, Trico, has a program in place called "Operation Cool Shade" that makes shade trees available to its customers at a very reasonable cost. The trees available through this firm are: Mesquite, Arizona Ash, Desert Willow, Southern Live Oak, and Eldarica Pine. The company says a shade tree in your yard can lower the temperature of your outside walls as much as 15%. Details can be obtained by calling 744-2944. Please remember that such trees can only be placed on your own private property, and not in our common areas.

A problem has arisen regarding dog walkers leaving their animal's droppings on the tennis court. If you walk your dog, in the first place, keep them out of the tennis court area, and should they wander into that area accidentally, please clean up their droppings. Violators will be looking at a fine in the future.

Work has been continuing on the Bridge Park wash drainage project, under the able direction of Ken Miller, with a lot of help from Paul Rowland. Recently one of the major dry wells was rebuilt, as were the drain ways leading into it. Much additional drainage improvement work has also been completed. It is expected that work will be continuing on this project in the future, as funds permit.

A "Queen of the Night" (Cereus Greggii) cactus has been located and transplanted in the Mt. View Park cactus garden. This unusual cactus blooms only once annually, and then in the nighttime, with a strange and wonderful flower.

Neighborhood Relations – By Norma Stanley, Chair

While traveling around the neighborhood from time to time, I have noticed several garage doors left open, some for long periods of time -some for all night. This may help the flow of air on these very hot days. However, an open garage door is an open invitation to those looking for something of interest or an unnoticed entry into your home. So for the safety of your home and possessions, please keep that door closed especially when you are not at home and during the night.

Another reason to keep garage doors closed is an esthetic one. Looking out the window into someone's open garage is not too inspiring---be it messy or clean---especially on a daily basis! Please take time to consider the safety of your home as well as the feelings of your neighbors in this regard.

Esperanza Estates with its Mission style townhomes and desert plantings is unique in Green Valley. The importance of maintaining its integrity and character depends on each and every one of us. If our own property landscaping , plants, and accessories reflect the southwest decor, we can sustain this lifestyle. Esperanza Estates is already recognized as one of the most desirable areas of townhomes in which to live. Kudos to all of the volunteers and residents who do so much to preserve our beautiful desert appearance.

Light Fixture Update – By Sheila Bennen

The CC&Rs mandate that all light fixtures be kept in good repair and that it is the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain them. It is impossible to duplicate our present fixtures and there is no replacement for the orange glass. In an attempt to help all homeowners comply with these rules the following steps have been taken:

1) Two fixtures with no tops have been replaced. The tops can not be bought individually. The cost for doing this was $30. If you need a fixture replaced you may view these two fixtures at 1021Regalo or at 1161 Excelso. We will duplicate these for $30, which includes labor. If you have a fixture that is judged to not comply with the standards of Esperanza Estates you will be notified and asked to bring it into compliance. You may chose to have it done or do it yourself. We do now have several of the old orange panels that are available if you have not been able to replace your current ones. We will furnish these at no charge. For questions or to request that we install a new fixture call Sheila Bennen at 399-0501. If there is no answer please leave a message.

G.V.C.C.C. DIRECTORY NEWS --URGENT-- LAST CHANCE!

If you are already listed in the GVCCC Directory, your listing will automatically be included in the next (2004) edition. If you are not listed, and would like to be, or if you'd like to change/correct your listing, please give me a call by Oct. 30th, or mail in the green/blue Residential Listing Card found inside the 2003 Directory. Charl Petry at 648-2541. Thanks!

New/Former Owners – By Sheila Bennen

New -- Wanda B. Gallagher
925 Calle Regalo
Former --HD Skirrow

New -- Wandell G. and Antie W. Lear
933 Calle de Regalo
Former -- Rosalind Hesse Marsicano

New -- Michael J. Hadwin TTEE
660 Placita Neuva
Former --Charles W. and Patricia Shipman
Seller is leasing back and will be the occupant.

New -- Robert J. and Carol 0. Jackson
965 Calle del Regalo
Former -- Rene A. Henry

New Phone Numbers – By Sheila Bennen

Jean Moser
746 Calle Ensalmo
207-5500

Miscellaneous Corrections -- By Sheila Bennen

Richard and Kay Wahl
1142 Circulo Del Sur
240 Camino Portillo
New Renters: Rose Perrier and Pat Reuter
625-5614

Hospitality Committee --by Phyllis Johnson-Frost, Chair

An impromptu pool ramada party on Labor Day was initiated by committee member Kay Miller. We did our best to get the word around: a sign on the pool gate, several of us calling friends and neighbors; but our "phone tree" overlooked some homeowners who would have liked to come. Regrets and we'll aim to be more comprehensive for impromptu in summer months when we can't publish in the Periodico. We'll also plan for later in the day when we can be more sheltered from the blazing sun! Forty-one residents did gather for fun and goodies, one of whom was a first-timer, Donald Winfrey.

Our McCall EE Tours sub-committee submits again in this issue the cover sheet for our coming Mexican bus tour with some additional details on stops, meals, and departure pick-up location-

We welcome to the Committee our newest volunteers, John and Barbara Lauber!

Hope you will call in ideas for a fall gathering with all our returning winter residents. (399-9003)

ILLEGAL DUMPING

With the closing of the Sahuarita landfill to commercial users, we will need to be on the lookout for "wildcat" dumping in the subdivision. Some has apparently already occurred. It is believed that landscapers looking for "economical" ways to dispose of yard waste might be tempted to use our common areas, or the desert around Esperanza Estates for this purpose. The sheriff's office makes the following recommendations :

ALERTS --By Sheila Bennen

1. Who replaces the flags?

2. Who monitors the areas for needed improvements?

3. Who replaces the faucets and equipment at the pool?

4. Who monitors the light fixtures?

5. Who calls the County when dirt piles up in the street?

6. Who publishes the Periodico?

7. Who sorts and distributes the Periodico?

8. Who maintains the Neighborhood Watch information?

There are a myriad of jobs done by volunteers and most people never stop to think how it all happens. NOW the time has come for some new blood.

Our most pressing need is for a RECORDING SECRETARY to record the minutes at the Board meetings. Our former secretary has assumed the presidency and the other members are already overloaded with jobs. There must be one person that can donate a couple of hours a month to provide this service. The volunteer needs computer skills to transcribe the notes from each monthly meeting. Please consider giving a little something back to Esperanza Estates. We have many new homeowners. This job is an excellent way to get to know people and the association.

These parties have been planned early in December to avoid the last minute party crunch.

More details will follow in October and November. Save these dates.

Full page -- 3 months -- $100

1/2 page – 3 months -- $ 50

1/4 page – 3 months -- $ 25

We would like a copy ready ad. Please call Sheila Bennen at 399-0501 or Robert Frost at 399-9003 for more information.

ESPERANZA ESTATES TOURS

The Esperanza Estates Hospitality Committee has organized a tour to Alamos, Mexico

Alamos is an old colonial mining town 400 miles south of the border. It is a beautiful city that has been restored. Many Americans and Canadians have brought back great mansions from ruin.

The tour dates are January 26, 2004 to January 30, 2004, 5 days and 4 nights.

The cost per person, double occupancy, is $549 plus $10 per for additional water, cold drinks and snacks while on the bus for 5 days. The total cost of $559 per person is a special price for our Esperanza Estates residents. The tour for the general public is $825 per person.

Interested people contact Jerry and Dolores McCall at 399-3984 or, if we are not at home, contact Phyllis Johnson-Frost at 399-9003.

Space is limited to 40 people and a $200 deposit per person accompanied by the completed Release and Warranty form must be made to reserve your seat with the $559 total due before November 21,2003.

All checks are to be made out to "Esperanza Estates Tours" and sent to:

Jerry and Delores McCall

751 Calle Del Regalo

Green Valley, AZ 85614

This tour includes one night in San Carlos, two nights in Alamos, one night in Hermosillo, and five meals. Our Tour Bus will pick us up and return us to the Esperanza Pool. A reminder: there is no parking at the pool so please make arrangements to leave your vehicles at home.

Let's Get Together for a Halloween Party

To Welcome Our Winter Residents

And to Participate in GAIN* Night With SAV

Friday, October 31,2003

At the Pool Ramada at 4:00 p.m.

"Costumes" optional

*Getting Arizona Involved In Neighborhoods (GAIN)

The official night in Green Valley is October 16th, but Hospitality/Neighborhood Watch is choosing to combine it with our welcome to returning residents. Help Us Prevent Crime in Esperanza Estates

EEHOA WILL FURNISH –

CRACKED ICE, PAPER PLATES AND NAPKINS, PLASTIC GLASSES AND FORKS

YOU BRING --

POTLUCK TREATS TO SHARE (No grilling available)

A BEVERAGE OF YOUR CHOICE (No glass containers at the pool itself.)

Some cash if you want to buy "50-50" lottery tickets at 50 cents for l or 3 for a $1.00.

The winner gets half the takings and the Volunteers of Esperanza Estates gets the other half!

Note: Wouldn't it be refreshing to end the evening with a swim?

Sponsored by the Hospitality Committee

In our world full or 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