Hikers Set Sights on Star Pass
Nineteen enthusiastic EE Hikers traversed the Anza Trail last week and successfully scouted out a new crossing of the re-routed Santa Cruz wash. Ready to scale new heights, they're heading out to Starr Pass today at 8 am. This easy 5 mile hike in open country with 400 feet of elevation will require snacks and plenty of water. Car fare will be $5.

Just 5 More Days to Call EE's Elves
The Enhancement Elves will be shutting down their EE lamppost decorating service on Saturday, December 15, and returning to the North Pole to help Santa fill his sleigh. Til then they're available to decorate your lamppost for just $15. If you don't already have one, a socket adapter is $2 more. Phone 260-7684.

December Board Meeting
The next meeting of the HOA board will be held at the Ramada on Monday, December 17 at 1:00 p.m. Attending a board meeting is a great way to find out what's going on in our HOA. Homeowner questions and comments are always welcome.

The Theater Is Dark
No movie night this Wednesday. The next one will be held on Wednesday, December 19 and will feature Christmas Cabin.

Local Author Series
On Tuesday December 18 at 2:00, our own Denise Roessle will be the featured speaker at Joyner Library's Local Author Series. Denise will be talking about her memoir, Second Chance Mother.

Definitely Not a Silent Night at the Ramada
Decked out in their holiday finery, EE residents celebrated the season at the Ramada Friday night thanks to the efforts of the Hospitality Committee. Door prizes were early Christmas presents for winners John Leach, Cheri Day, Kevin Welsh, Mary Buchholz, Mary Hess, Lou Demuth, Suzanne Keitzer and Ben Sheffield.

No Burgers Or Donuts
Just a reminder that with so many holiday parties and activities on our busy social calendars, Burger Night and Coffee & Donuts will not be held this month. They will resume in January.

Dues Notices Due in Your Mailbox
Treasurer Joan Moreaux mailed dues notices to EE homeowners on December 1st. Contact Joan at 520-648-7515 if you have not received your notice yet.

Let Your Voice Be Heard
The EE Carolers will be spreading good cheer throughout EE on Friday, December 21 at about 6:00 p.m. If you would like to join us, email Cynthia at cjsurprise@verizon.net. The more the merrier!

'First Day' Potluck Lunch
Celebrate the first day of the new year with friends and neighbors at the annual First Day potluck lunch on January 1, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the Ramada. Bring your own table setting, beverage and a dish to share. Coffee will be available. Organizers Jane Ellingson and Mona Sheffield are looking for volunteers to help set up and clean up.

Plan for Pool Closing
January 7 is the date for beginning work on the pool decking. The pool and spa will be closed for approximately 7 days for completion.

Wanted: EE Residents' Favorite Recipes
The Enhancement Team is planning a new cookbook featuring Esperanza Estates' favorite recipes. Submit recipes at the Ramada--there is a manilla envelope marked RECIPES inside the bulletin board behind the counter. Include your name and any hints or special notations which might help chefs and bakers when making your award-winning creations.

Gardeners Seeking Plants
Thinking of doing some landscaping that will involve removing some of your plants? Contact Bill Berdine at whberdine@roadrunner.com or 344-7301 if you have plants you would like to donate to be planted in one of our common areas.

Artists Clean Up
Thanks to Marian Mundale and the other volunteers from the Arts Club who have been cleaning up the Art Trail along Arroyo #9 in preparation for the new artistic work to be located there.

EE Stocking Stuffer
Bring a smile to the face of your favorite EE resident on Christmas morning when they find an EE license plate in their stocking. Contact Bill Berdine at whberdine@roadrunner.com or 344-7301 to purchase one or more of the plates for just $10 each.

Paint Proposal Information
The Paint Colors Group invites you to visit its website http://eepaintcolors.shutterfly.com/pictures to view computer simulations of EE homes painted using the new trim colors to be proposed on the January 2013 HOA annual meeting ballot. You can also read the Group's reasons for proposing the colors on their site. The information is also posted at the Ramada. Questions or comments can be emailed to paint@esperanzaestates.net.

Pima County Property Taxes
Our EE Treasurer, Joan Moreaux, reminds us that if you do not pay your 2013 Pima County property taxes in full by 12/31/12, you will NOT receive a second notice for the portion due March 1, 2013. The second installment coupon and envelope are included in the bill you received for the first installment. You may be accustomed to receiving a second notice from the tax authority in your home state, so this is a good reminder.

Night Owls
A reminder that over the next two weeks some exits off I-19 will be down to one lane from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. The Green Valley exits will be impacted this Wednesday and Thursday.

Home Alone?
Here's a tip for a security device you may not have considered. Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a suspicious noise and think someone may be trying to break into your house, press the alarm button for your car. Odds are a burglar won't stick around when the alarm goes off. You should test to be sure that the signal is strong enough to activate the alarm from several locations in your house.

Missing Something?
A Cadillac wheel cover center hub, found by an EE resident, currently decorates the Ramada bulletin board. Own a Caddy? Take a quick walk around it, to see if the hub might be yours. It'll be part of the Enhancement sale, if still unclaimed in March.