Periodico de Esperanza
Homeowners Newsletter
November 22, 2004

With the Oktoberfest, which was very successful with over 100 of our members and guests present, and Halloween behind us, we can now look forward to the Big Turkey Day, Thanksgiving. Our best wishes to all of you on this special day of celebration in our country.

The nominating committee for this coming year consists of Max Perry, Board Representative, Rod and Nancy Pearson, members at large. Rod Pearson is the Chairman and can be reached at 625-9242 for those of you who wish to run for a Board position. Each year we fill a minimum of three positions. The members elect the Board of Directors and the Directors then elect the officers of the association annually.

We are always in need of volunteers to fill the positions that serve our members many needs. These include people to deliver the Periodico, the Standing committees, Hospitality, Neighborhood Watch, Esperanza Estates Tours and the Volunteers of Esperanza Estates. These are but a few of the many who contribute. Others include those opening and closing the pool, helping with the annual meeting, publishing the Periodico, putting up Christmas lights and decorations around our community plus your entire Board of Directors.

The October 31, 2004, Statement of Revenues and Expenditures along with the Statement of Financial Position follow in this issue (front & back). In addition we have included a draft copy of the 2005 Budget. This budget has not been approved by the Board as yet and is presented for informational purposes and comments and questions from our members. Please take notice that the dues for the coming year will remain the same as 2004, viz., $330.

Please call with your concerns and more importantly with your offer to volunteer for one of our many needs. We will need four or five people to assist with the Annual Meeting plus a Ballot Committee to count and record the results of the Ballots. Someone once said that if you are not part of the solution then you are probably the problem.

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving and a safe road for all who travel.

Neighborhood Relations Report – By Norma Stanley, Chair

A potential problem involving mesquite trees in a neighbor’s yard was investigated. A letter was sent and a visit made. No visible wall damage was noted. The owners of the trees stated they will take care of any cleanup including paying for any cleanup of neighbor's yard during their absence. We all sincerely hope this will rectify the matter.

Esperanza Ladies Christmas Party – By Norma Stanley

Due to unforseen circumstances the 2004 Christmas Party has been cancelled. We hope to have all in readiness in the year 2005.

Common Area Maintenance – By Tom Cooke, Chair

Matters are pretty much on an even keel in our common areas, and maintenance items are being routinely addressed .

A cleanup and trim has recently been completed on Esperanza Boulevard, an area we try to keep looking good because it is our "front door."

Because of the very light fall rains we have had so far, the weed situation is pretty much under control.

The fountain in Sunset Park, which has been inoperable since mid-summer, as been repaired courtesy of Lance Ewing and another volunteer. The costs of repair, including replacement of the pump and some of the wiring, was paid by the EE Volunteers, for which we thank them.

Some negotiations with AAA Landscape Maintenance has resulted in a continuation of our contract with them for another year, without any increase in rates. We have found their services, under appropriate supervision by our Board, are generally satisfactory. Plans are being formulated to continue our regraveling program, which should begin at around the end of the year or early January. A number of areas needing attention have been identified, including some of the quad yards which we are obligated to maintain. Preliminarily, it appears most of the areas in question can be serviced with gray rock. This is favorable, because gray gravel is considerably cheaper than the colored rock, and our gravel allocation will go much further.

As always, if you have or see matters in the common areas needing attention, please call me at 399-0455. We will take care of them as quickly as we can.

Volunteers of Esperanza Estates - Tess Ewing, Co-Chair

At our first meeting of the season plans were discussed for future projects. Our main purpose is to improve the common areas in Esperanza Estates. During the past few years our focus has been the Ramada Patio area near the pool and Sunset Park just West of there. Our treasurer, Lois Blacker, informed us we have spent over $8,000 of our funds, including donations, on this area. Volunteer labor on these projects would have a value of several more thousands. Three patio tables and eighteen chairs were purchased last month just in time for the well attended October Fest.

Our annual Garage Sale will be held on Saturday December 11th at 202 S. Circulo Napa. Joan Zebroski has once again offered her garage as the location. We are now accepting donations of usable household items in good condition. (No Clothing Please) For pick up call: Mona 625-3797 Tess 625-5373 Joan 399-1053

If you are interested in joining our team or if you have ideas for "fun and fund-raising" please let us know.

New Owners / Renters / Phone Numbers – By Sheila Bennen

New: Frank A. & Edna Carella
746 Circulo Napa
Former: Warren & Iris Fuesz

New: Lonnie B . & Lenny R. Bergmann
921 Circulo Napa
Former: George Vance

Renter: Kathryn & Dan Wallace
1124 Del Norte
393-0633
419-6149 cell phone

Phone No.
Jessica Greulich
764 Calle Del Regalo
625-2998 correction

Phone No.
964 Vereda Calma
phone disconnected

In Memoriam
Rollin Hollister
734 Calle del Regalo

Home Tour – By Joan Moreaux, Committee Chair

It is again time to start planing for another home tour. The tour is scheduled for Sunday, April 3, 2005. The last home tour was sold out and a huge success. This is a great opportunity to learn about our unique Esperanza homes and meet your neighbors.

Come join the fun and help on the committee. If you are interested in having your home included in the tour or helping on the committee, please contact Joan Moreaux at 648-7515.

Capital Projects – By Robert Frost, Chair

The Board verified the budget allocation for repair of the Quad driveway at the east end of Placita Nueva. A bid was obtained but the cost was higher than expected. The project start may extend into next year in order to combine the budget for this year with next year's projection.

A discussion of street lamp deterioration led to a desire for a replacement standard since the original lamps are no longer available. There was also discussion of replacement of all of the lamps with new lamps. The cost and availability of replacement lamps may be ready for discussion at the annual meeting.

Hospitality Committee – By Phyllis Johnson-Frost, Chair

The Board has been informed of the unprecedented number of neighbors who participated in Oktoberfest, October 30over 100!
This biggest ever German buffet team called for special written thanks by the chair to committee members who shopped, donated, and cooked: Sheila Bennen, Melodye Cooke, Trish Rodemeyer, Sam Barnard, Horace Hicks, the Millers. To the rest of us who planned, decorated tables, trouble-shot, picked up, checked in the guests, and got supplies back in place, thanks: Claire Coon, Kay Miller, Joan & Barbara Lauber, Edith Speasl; Joan Zebroski, Robert Frost. Special appreciation to our President Ben Sheffield who provided his pick-up truck to bring in tables and take them away.

The Committee met on November 17 to plan for the Full Moon Party, Nov. 26; the outcome is printed on the flyer included in this Periodico. The chair proposed a discussion on the theme "Committee at Cross Roads" in light of the history of our social committee, the new calendar for 04-05, the balance of cookouts and potluck, the growth of participation within the limits of our pool and park, the need to recruit more members to share the new demands. We regret the resignation of generous Ellie Franz who has had to readjust her volunteer activities and meet other challenges. Ellie, come to the parties as you can and enjoy!

Announcing Another Full Moon Party!

November 26, 2004 Esperanza Estates Park on Holgado 4:30 p.m.

Moonrise at 5:11 p.m.; Sunset at 5:19 p.m.

Let’s enjoy hot dogs, s’mores, bonfires, and baying at the moon!
 
EEHOA Will Furnish:

Cracked Ice
Paper Plates and Napkins
Plastic Glasses, hot cups and forks
Hot dogs and fixings; s’mores; hot chocolate, instant decaf coffee, and fixings

You are invited to bring:

Finger food to share
A beverage for cocktails of choice and/or brandy or rum if you want to "lace" hot drinks
Folding chairs

Remember to dress warmly

NOTE: In the event of inclement weather, the party will be rescheduled.

Sponsered by the Hospitality Committee
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