Periodico de Esperanza
Homeowners Newsletter
April 26, 2004

President's Report - By Ben Sheffield

Spring weather was generally great for those visiting on their spring break and the sounds of children's laughter must have given great concern to our resident dove and quail population as to what had happened.

We had five members present at the April 19 meeting. There were no new members nor any member comments. It was announced that Joe McMahon had submitted his resignation from the board for personal reasons. Joe will be missed by his fellow board members and we wish to thank Joe for the time and effort he contributed to our mission.

The March 31, 2004, Statements of Revenues and Expenditures along with the Statement of Financial Position follow in this issue (front & back). March expenditures reflect the last high gas bill for this past winter and we are optimistic that the expenditures will come back into line over the summer months. The costs for the Periodico are running higher than the amounts budgeted; however, we are distributing more information to our members including the Financial Statements.

By this time next month the next party at the Ramada, May 5 Cinco de Mayo, will be over and I hope that you are able to participate. These parties are a great way to meet, get together, and enjoy your neighbors.

On March 25, the Volunteers held a party at the Ramada to say thank you to all of their group and presented Jeanne Barzan with the first annual Volunteer of the Year Award. Jeanne was instrumental in starting NEET (Neighborhood Environmental Enhancement Team) which was the predecessor to our current Volunteers of Esperanza Estates.

She and Len have been very generous with their time and gifts to Esperanza Estates. Thank you both for all you have contributed to our cause.

Several of our seasonal residents have already left for the summer and more will be leaving soon. We wish you all the best for your summer experiences and a safe return next fall.

Common Areas Maintenance - By Tom Cooke, Chair

We have received reports that dogs have been eating pyrocantha berries from plantings inside patio walls but where the vines have grown over the wall and are dropping the berries on or near public sidewalks. The berries are reportedly poisonous to some dogs, and so we are asking the owners of these types of vines to try and keep the berries cleaned up. If you have such a plant, please check and if it is dropping berries outside your walls, try and keep the berries raked up. Your cooperation would be appreciated by the animal owners.

Our landscapers have reported that as of April 8, they have applied 385 gallons of weed spray to our common areas. The job is not yet finished, however, and will continue. The areas now being sprayed are several that are not accessible to the spray truck tank, and have to be done with backpack type sprayers. Once the weeds are dead, if required they will be removed with mechanical means. We are hoping we are not going to get too much of a "second crop" from our late rains. Under our contract with triple AAA, we receive two sprayings yearly, which we try to schedule after the winter rains, and again after the monsoons. In the past this has proven adequate to keep our common areas looking very good. We are hoping for a continuation of that luck this year as well.

On the subject of weeds, residents are reminded that it is your responsibility to keep your own yards looking weed free. Most owners are very good about this, but we always have a few who allow their yards to become unsightly. When this occurs, it is Board policy to send a warning letter, asking that the problem be taken care of. If it isn't, the
Board will hire to have it done at the owners expense. It then becomes a lien item if not paid.

The pool enclosure and Ramada painting has been completed. With the finishing of this task, all common area structures which the Board targeted for repainting are now done. The pool secondary gate has also been changed to the front of the enclosure, south of the outside ramada. A nice arch was constructed over the new opening, and a new wrought iron gate will be installed in the near future. The old secondary gate, which opened into a wash, has been bricked up and permanently closed. This was done because the old gate led into a dangerous, rocky wash, which was not safe and could not be made safe for persons entering or leaving the pool via this route.

Also, at the pool, the graveled areas near the Ramada are being bricked with pavers. This will make the Ramada itself much more functional for pool users.

We wish to thank Ben Sheffield and Bill Milne for volunteering to cut our row of low palms in Bridge Park. This allows us to work our landscapers elsewhere, for which we are appreciative. There are always plenty of assignments for them to work on.

Since our last report, we have been advised by residents of about five more trees with mistletoe infestations. Arrangements are being made to have these taken care of. We thank our owners for these reports, and would ask that if any more is seen, please let me know.

With the warmer weather, we are starting to see the ants make their annual excursion into our common areas. Please report any infestations you happened to notice so they can be eradicated early. They do a lot of damage, and we like to try and keep them under control as much as possible.

We receive occasional requests to repair street lamps. Owners are reminded that our CC&R's specify maintenance of street lamps is the responsibility of individual homeowners. However, we can provide a list of persons in the subdivision who will work on these lights, and who charge a reasonable fee for so doing.

As always, please report common area problems to me at 399-0455, and we will address them as soon as we can.

Hospitality Committee - by Phyllis Johnson-Frost

The Volunteer Buffet Party was such a success that the committee has decided to try the idea again for a second annual Cinco de Mayo party on Wednesday, May 5 at 4:30 at the Pool Area. Our master chef Rod Pearson will do the barbecue honors with several lively senñores and señoras assisting! See the attached flyer for details, particularly the outline of the menu and the call for tickets @ $5.00. We urge you to get your reservations in now. Where can you get such a meal for the price?

And our McCall team has another great trip coming up for Esperanza Estates and Friends! Our tour will take us to Copper Canyon in Mexico, February 27 to March 6, 2005. The cost of $969 per person, double occupancy will include the following: private motor coach and train voyages; hotel and hotel taxes, three dinners, three lunches, daily American breakfasts; tours, transfers, luggage handling tips, and services charges. This will be a spectacular 8-day, 7-night trip, again departing from our Esperanza Pool.

A deposit of $100 per person will guarantee you a place on the bus. The complete agenda and reservation form will be ready by MAY FIRST. The committee is planning this one early because we expect a full bus. Interested persons, call: Jerry & Dolores McCall (993-3984) or Phyllis Johnson-Frost (399-9003).

Wednesday, May 5, 2004
At the Pool Ramada at 4:30 p.m.
Let's celebrate again our intertwined U.S. & Mexican history. On May 5, l862, 4000 Mexican soldiers-against all odds-smashed the Napoleon III's French army of 8,000 at Puebla. The Mexicans had won a brave victory under the heroic command of General Zaragoza, though the French were to regain power. However because Napoleon was diverted from supplying our own confederate rebels for another year, our Civil War was essentially over! In turn, the U.S. was free to provide more political and military assistance to Mexico to expel the French. Today this holiday is celebrated most vigorously in the state of Puebla and also in the Southwest where we celebrate Mexican culture. WHY NOT COME DRESSED WITH A TOUCH OF MEXICANO?

Come and enjoy a bountiful buffet:
Carne Asada (barbecued steak), Soft tacos, Refried beans,

A colorful salad, ala Melodye Cooke,

Chips and salsa, and a little after dinner sweet.

The Committee will furnish the following:
Ice, soft drinks, all utensils and food.


Each of you furnishes the following:
Libations of your choice, and your blender, if you wish to make margaritas

Important: This is a must have reservation affair so we can plan for the food. Tickets @ $5.00 may be reserved by calling: Sheila Bennen (399-0501) or Phyllis Johnson-Frost (399-9003) or Melodye Cooke (399-0455). Leave name & number if no one is home. RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY SUNDAY, MAY 2. Sponsored by the Hospitality Committee

Tennis Group Needs Players - By John Meek

The Dinkers Anonymous Tennis Group needs players. This is due to travel, illness, and other problems among its diminishing ranks. Dinkers play on Saturday, Monday, and Thursday mornings. It s mixed doubles with men and women both welcomed.

Dinkers say goodbye and best wishes to Jim Teale, one of the steadfast members who recently moved from Esperanza to another Green Valley location. Call John Meek at 399-2947 for additional information

GVCCC Report - By Sheila Bennen, Board Representative

It was reported at the last GVCCC meeting that the Camino del Sol bike lane and the I-19 interchange construction are still on schedule. The I-19 work should begin in September.

Chuck Huckleberry spoke at the meeting and left some very interesting information about the upcoming bond elections. Scottie will post them at the pool. Take a look. It outlines what will benefit Green Valley.

Volunteer of the Year Award - By Sheila Bennen

The first annual Esperanza Estates Volunteer of the Year award party was hosted by Sam and Marvel Barnard and Sheila Bennen on March 25 at the pool area. A buffet dinner was served to approximately 70 invited volunteers. The event featured the presentation of the Jeanne Barzan Volunteer of the Year Plaque.

Jeanne Barzan was recognized as the founding force behind the continuing effort of all Volunteers in Esperanza Estates: physical improvements in the pool area, including the new bricked area and landscaping and plantings at the Portillo end; formation of the Nature Trail; a cactus garden and landscaping in Mountain View Park; improvements and rocking of the wash; replenishing of gravel in many of the common areas; and purchase of all new tables for parties at the pool.

The plaque will be presented yearly to the volunteer judged to have contributed most during the past year, according to criteria to be announced soon. This annual award will consist also of a traveling trophy, a very decorative flower pot holder with a wooden marker proclaiming it as the volunteer award. This trophy will be kept by the honoree for one year.

A Note from Jeanne Barzan

Thank you for letting the traveling trophy, NEET PEET, be with us for a whole year. I really appreciate the volunteer teamwork that continues and especially like the lovely gate on the swimming pool!

Advertisements - By Sheila Bennen

We would encourage each of you to ask any tradeperson that you feel does an excellent job to place an ad in the Periodico. We would like our homeowners to have a list of reliable people to call. The cost structure is as follows: 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.

New Owners - By Sheila Bennen

New: Joseph C. and Mary L. Vitello
872 Calle del Regalo
Former: Dian O'Brien

In Memoriam
Frances Toplisek
770 Calle del Regalo
April 11, 2004

Home Tour Canceled - By Sheila Bennen

The home tour this year was canceled since we could not get enough people to show their homes. We have three volunteers for next years tour and wish to have an early start on the planning. Therefore, If you have done any remodeling this year that makes your house a little unique or you are a newcomer that has done something that is really neat, WE NEED YOU.

We will need workers, houses to show but most of all we will need a coordinator since Karen Augustine is moving. If anyone has worked on or wants to be the head honcho let us know. We have copies of all the things that were done and it was very successful the first time so we will not need to reinvent the wheel. Give this article some serious thought. It is a good way to meet people, see the inside of lots of houses and just have lots of fun. We will probably do it in March again so give us a call to get on the list. Call Sheila Bennen 399-0501 or Melodye Cooke 399-0455.

Neighborhood Watch - By Melodye Cooke, Chair

A reminder to all our winter residents. Make sure that you call the Sheriff's Auxiliary Volunteers or have someone here check on you house while you are away this summer. This is also a reminder to our year round residents to make sure someone is checking your house while you are on vacation. Remember to stop all newspapers or have someone pick them up for you. A collection of newspapers in front is a sure indications that no one is home. This is the time of year to keep an eye on our neighborhoods and please report to 911 anything out of the ordinary.

If you could spare a little time to deliver Newcomer Packages as a Neighborhood Watch Captain in the Excelso area, please call me at 399-0455. Also call with comments, questions or suggestions.

(Photos of the Volunteers of Esperanza Estates event courtesy of Robert Frost and his brand new camera!)