Periodico de Esperanza
Homeowners Newsletter
October 25, 2004

Mona and I were very happy when we returned to a green Green Valley the first of the month. To see all of the Ocotillo wearing their finest green dress instead of drab brown was a welcome sight.

Our busiest season has once again arrived bringing the return of seasonal residents and the renewal of old friendships and the start of new ones.

Some of the immediate items to be addressed by your Board are the budget for 2005, five year financial projection, this year's nominating committee, mailing of the annual dues statements, and preparation for the Annual Meeting on January 17, 2005. Volunteers are needed. Please call me at 625-3797 and we will find you a project.

The September 30, 2004, Statement of Revenues and Expenditures, along with the Statement of Financial Position, follow in this issue (front & back). Through September we are $548.00 ahead of our projected position. This is a combination of slightly higher revenues and slightly lower expenses. Since the pool gas bills for the winter were in (April 2004) we are slightly ahead of budget ($140.00) through September. It would not appear that we can make up for the cold winter; however, we are showing a savings of 20% over last year for these last five months.

It has been brought to my attention that it would be timely to highlight some of the important restrictions in our CC&Rs. To that end we are restating an article in the January 2003 Periodico, written by Dave Lantz, with minor modifications for current rules.

"R" stands for restrictions, as in "Thou shalt not." The vehicle parking code has basically three parts. First, no vehicle or trailer of any type under control of the resident shall be parked in any common area. Quad driveways are owned and maintained by the Association and are thus part of the common area. Second, certain types of vehicles are specifically listed and prohibited from outdoor parking anywhere in the sub-division, which includes driveways and the county owned streets. The list includes pick-up trucks, panel trucks, motor homes, camping vehicles, trailers and various other vehicles. Third, brief stops for loading or unloading such vehicles are permitted. Incidentally, the authority of an Association to enforce parking restrictions on streets owned by a city or county has been upheld in Arizona courts. Parking violations represent one of the larger sources of complaints received by the Board, which enacted a fine of $50.00 for such violations.

Structural modifications visible from the outside, including your neighbor's backyard, require approval by the Board to insure that the original architectural patterns of the sub-division are maintained. The proper procedure is to submit a drawing and written description of what is to be done and how it is going to be accomplished to a member of the Architectural Control Committee, i.e.,the type of materials to be used and the name of the contractor or person doing the work. Should a permit for this project be required it is up to the homeowner to obtain same. Please take notice that said permit does not automatically grant you permission to proceed without Board approval.

Painting: Complete repainting requires approval of plans to insure compliance with the original color and finish (flat finish is specified) and we recommend that you use Dunn-Edwards Paints. They were the original paints used and have proven to be the most consistent in color. Again, contact the Architectural Control Committee. Touch-up painting does not require prior approval; however, we recommend that you contact the Architectural Control Committee to insure that you are using the proper color.

Tree planting in common areas is permissible under certain circumstances but you must receive prior approval from the Board. For this you need to contact one of the Operations/Maintenance Committee members.

We hope to see all of you on the 30th at the Pool Ramada to help us celebrate Oktoberfest with our neighbors.

Neighborhood Watch - By Melodye Cooke, Chair

All Neighborhood Watch Captains, please check your watch list and try to get all telephone numbers so we may have the information for the new Esperanza Estates phone directory due out in January 2005. If you have had trouble connecting with new residents and the newcomer packages and (or) getting the Neighborhood Watch information sheet returned, please let me know. I have postcards that we can send.

All new residents, if you have any questions please feel free to contact your Neighborhood Watch Captain, Co-Captains or me. We want to make sure that you have all the information that you need.

Thank you to all involved in the Neighborhood Watch. I appreciate all the work that you put in to make our Neighborhoods safer and friendlier.

Periodico Report for October-Common Areas - By Tom Cooke, Chair

Because many of our winter visitors were not yet here when the last copy of the Periodico went out, and because what happened over the summer is a matter of interest to many, I am re-running some of the material that was in the September issue.

To try and bring you up to date on a few of the happenings here in Esperanza Estates over the summer months, I can report as follows:

Ken Miller and Steve Brown completed considerable more work on the Bridge Park wash and the trail where it passes near the wash. Much of the area received a good cleaning out, stone borders were rearranged, retaining walls and walkway stairs were built, and some additional concrete was placed in the wash itself, to slow down the storm water coming through this area and try to keep sand from washing out onto Portillo during monsoon rains. The area also received a good trimming by AAA, and should be in reasonable shape for some time. As an aside, we wish to thank Steve Brown for all of his work on removing the sand from both Portillo and Napa after the summer rains. The County makes a stab at sand removal on these streets, but they do about the same job they do on everything else--leaving a bit to be desired.

Steve recently advised that he will be completing sand removal on Circulo del Sur, at the mouth of the alleyway, in the near future. It is hoped that at least the east part of this alley can be graveled when that program starts after the first of the new year. This will probably take care of most of the problem with sand washing out into the road from this alley. We had the same problem in the alley between upper Napa and Regalo, but by gravelling this area, the problem was completely stopped.

We also did a fairly major trim on the north side of the wash, where our property line meets the next subdivision. That area had become overgrown, and droppings from the trees and shrubs were starting to cause drainage problems for our neighbors.

Pima County finally installed some of the benches we were promised as part of the Arroyo Number 9 project. We now have two of them adjacent to the Arroyo where it passes Vereda Calma, and one just a bit east of Mt. View Park. They are a far cry from what the County originally represented would be installed, but are much better than nothing—which is what we had before. Speaking of benches, our long time benefactors Walter and Eileen Stremme have also donated another bench, which has been sited along the trail between Portillo and Mt. View Park.

The Stremmes have also purchased and donated a couple of sculptures which have been placed inside the pool enclosure. They consist of a pelican and a fish, both of which are stylized, and very nice. We thank Walter and Eileen for their continuing generosity.

The archive building at the pool has finally been repaired. The roof soffit on the south and west sides of this structure were literally falling apart, but now look great. The roof of this building needs recoating, which we hope to be able to do this fall.

The annual palm tree trimming for the common areas was completed on schedule. We have about 60 trees which we trim annually.

The Board is looking at a protocol for privately owned trees which are problems for neighboring properties. As the landscaping in our subdivision has become more mature, this situation has become more and more a difficult problem. Many examples exist where a tree in one yard has become a serious problem for a neighboring property, which has to bear the brunt of the roots, droppings, and other problems over which it has no control. This situation needs to be addressed, and the Board will be studying the best manner of approaching this problem. There is a possibility this issue will be submitted to the residents at the Annual Meeting in January in the form of a proposed by-law, or CC&R change.

Jeanne and Len Barzan have graciously agreed to purchase another bench for the Association, to be placed in the common area adjacent to their residence on Vereda Calma. The Barzans also have requested permission to have some additional plantings of desert landscaping items placed between the Ocotillos they gifted the Association several months ago, which line the lower portion of common area south of their street. The generosity of the Barzans is much appreciated. They have a long history of working for the beautification of our subdivision, which has included some recent work by Jeanne along part of our Trail near Arroyo Number Nine, clearing Desert Broom.

It was recently necessary to remove a large Mesquite tree from our common area along Esperanza Blvd. The tree was causing a couple of homes some serious problems. As there was no way to simply trim it to alleviate the difficulties, and as the tree was diseased, we had no choice other than to remove it entirely.

The remnants of a load of white gravel was recently abandoned in one of our alleyways. While we welcome donations of gravel, we don't welcome white gravel being left in an alley covered with gray rock. The responsible party has been contacted, and has agreed to remove what was left on Association property.

Our Fall weed removal program is well underway. Because of the light monsoon rains this year, the weed problem was considerably less that in prior years.

As always, please contact me at 399-0455 if you have or observe problems in the common areas. We will address them as soon as we are able.

Advertisements - By Sheila Bennen

We would encourage each of you to ask any "trade person" 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. We would like a copy ready ad. Please call Sheila Bennen at 399-0501 or Robert Frost at 399-9003 for more information.

The cost structure is as follows:

Full page 3 months $100

1/2 page 3 months $ 50

1/4 page 3 months $ 25

Esperanza Estates Tours - By Jerry and Dolores McCall

Eight of our neighbors and friends have made their $100.00 deposit for the Copper Canyon Tour, Mexico. This trip will go with a minimum of 20, a maximum of 40 people. Total cost is $969.00 per person, final payment due January 20th, 2005. Once again our Tour Bus will pick us up and return us to the Esperanza Pool area.

This trip leaves February 27 and returns on March 6, 2005. One of the many highlights will be an overnight stay at the beautiful Divisodero Hotel at the edge of the Copper Canyon with spectacular views from the hotel balcony.

All deposits are made directly to the Tour Agent and are refundable. You may also use a credit card for payment. We're getting a good rate for this trip. If you check others, you will agree. This Tour Company has been traveling Mexico for many years .

For registration forms and tour info: CONTACT: Jerry and Dolores McCall, 751 Calle del Regalo, Phone: 399-3984, Sheila Bennen 399-0501

Household Hazardous Waste Collection - By Sheila Bennen

Hal McMickle, 690 Placita Nueva (393-1390), has graciously volunteered to collect all of the hazardous waste in Esperanza Estates. Please give him a call and make arrangements to get your waste to him.

Thios is a great time to get rid of all your old medicines and prescriptions. Please dump them out of their containers into a baggie.

If you decide to take your own waste for disposal....take it to the Valley Presbyterian Church parking lot between 8:00 A.M. and noon on Saturday, November 13, 2004.

Attention All Esperanza Estates Residents - By Charl Petry

Each February a new edition of the Green Valley Coordinating Council Directory is delivered to all residents. If your name is not already in the Directory and you would like to be included (new residents, especially take note), or if you'd like to change or delete your current listing, October 29th is the deadline for the 2005 edition.

Please phone me (Charl Petry 648-2541) with whatever changes and new entries you have BEFORE OCTOBER 29th.

New /Former Residents - By Sheila Bennen

New: Richard & Georgi Magnuson
1206 Circulo del Norte
Former: Arthur & Ezella Struble

New: Arleen F. Boyuls
1118 Circulo del Norte
Former: Alma Walsh

New Phone Numbers - By Sheila Bennen

Calvert & Eileen Wright 625-8524
Edward Lord, 1161 Circulo del Sur 203-7459
Bert Gates, 964 Vereda Calma 625-8524

In Memoriam

Dr. Mary Roland
1203 Circulo del Norte

Henry Wasung
1098 Circulo del Norte

Home Tour - By Sheila Bennen

The scheduled date for this years home tour is April the 3rd. We have all of the notes, literature and brochures from last year. Melodye and I cannot take on any additional leadership roles but we are available to help any person that agrees to take on the chairmanship of this committee.

The tour is real fun, we have identified the houses to be shown so all we need is someone to step up and lead the way. It is a great way to meet people and make friends, surely there is someone of you that loves to organize and that can take on this task. If you are interested please call Melodye or myself and we will meet with you and explain what the job entails. It is not a hard job but it just needs someone who can donate more time than we have. Call Sheila 399-0501 or Melodye 399-0455. If you have a friend it certainly could be a 2 person co-chairmanship.

Tennis - By Scottie Blum, Chair

All our many newcomers and old residents are reminded that we have a good tennis court available on Circulo del Sur, almost where it meets the south end of Calle Excelso. There are groups of players who gather every morning except on important holidays, generally starting at 7 or 8 o'clock, depending on the time of year. Doubles play generally lasts about one and one half to two hours, and participants rotate. Players of either sex are welcome every day.

To check starting times, come by the court's covered rest area and check the loose leaf binder on the desk. All levels of play are welcome. There are no professionals in the group, so don't be shy. More players are needed. Come try!!!

Pool notes - By Scottie Blum, Chair

Reminder...On November 1 we go to winter hours. The pool opens at 7:00 am closes at 6:00 pm. Children's hours go back to 11 :30 am to 1 :00 pm and in the afternoon from 4:30 to 5:30. Aerobic classes go from 9:OO am to 10:00 am. We have some openings and everyone is welcome.

We will cover the pool on cloudy or rainy days. If you want to swim and the pool is covered you may use the toggle switch located on the east wall and reopen. If no one is there we ask that you close the pool after using. This way we can keep the cost of heating down.

Hospitality Committee - By Phyllis Johnson-Frost, Chair

The Committee initiated a new approach to planning 2004-05 social events. We met at Audrey Boffa's, the first of a "round robin" mixer, i.e., meeting at various member homes instead of routinely at the chair's home. Thanks Audrey, for offering to be first hostess.

Two new long-range approaches in our service to the Association were on the agenda: a calendar of the entire year and consideration that at some time in the not-so-distant future, we will be running out of space at our pool and park. Please note on your calendars the following: Octoberfest (Oct. 30 at 4:00); Full Moon at the Park, Nov. 26; Valentine's Day, Feb. 13; Cinco de Mayo, May 5; Fourth of July; and Labor Day, Sept. 5. Three of these events will be cookouts. We will publish details on cooperative fund-raising to acquire more party furniture as we get into our year.