Esperanza Estates Park Progress
There's been a flurry of activity at EE Park recently as the Gardeners have planted shrubs and perennials to complement the new pine trees. Plants include Texas rangers, emu bush ('Valentine'), Mexican honeysuckle, and autumn sage (salvia greggii). Thanks to Al Arendt, Bill Berdine, Roberta Bower, Dick Carver, Jim Copeland, Hugh Gates, Kathy Konrad, and Bill Pratt, who spent several hours installing the plants. This week, 3/8" brown gravel will be spread around the area.  Jim Copeland has volunteered to water the plants until he leaves for the summer, when other volunteers will take on that important task. Stop by to see this amazing transformation.

A Monumental Idea
The Board has given the go-ahead to develop plans to construct an entrance monument near the flags at Esperanza Estates Park. Jim Copeland is working on a design for the area, which will incorporate the ceramic Arizona flag into the monument and include benches where you can sit and gaze out at the mountains. Jim will hold a meeting at the Ramada on Wednesday, March 2 at 1:00 p.m. to discuss the plans. All residents are invited to attend or to e-mail comments, ideas or suggestions to Jim at jlbrcopeland@aol.com. The project is being funded entirely by the Enhancement Team and the EE Artisans.

Book Exchange
If you have been thinking about looking for some reading material from the Book Exchange cabinet in the pool area, now is the time to do so. On March 1, Cindy Krantz will be weeding out books that have been in the cabinet for several months to donate to the Enhancement Team's Ramada Sale on March 5.

Snakes Are Waking Up
With the warmer weather, more of us are out walking and working around our yards.  It's always a good idea to keep an eye on the ground when walking, and to check for snakes before putting your hand in any covered area. Shaking a bush with a rake is a good way to roust out anything napping underneath. If a snake appears on your property, you can call the GV fire department for snake relocation.

Coffee with a Cop
Thanks to Deputy Bill Nunez of the Pima County Sheriff's Department who stopped by to chat with residents at the recent Coffee and Donuts. Deputy Nunez strongly encouraged residents to lock their doors and cars.  He also recommended being suspicious of phone calls claiming to be from businesses you have a relationship with, such as banks, credit card companies and insurance companies. Tell them you will call them back when it's convenient, hang up, then call a customer service number that appears on one of your recent bills from that company.

Attention Neighborhood Watch Block Captains
From Mary Beth Wallace: "This would be a good time to visit all the residents in your zone.  Winter residents are here and could have some changes.  Most frequent items that need to be updated are: key holders and their phone numbers, emergency contacts, summer contact phone numbers for winter residents, number of residents and pets in the home, changes in local phone or cell phone numbers, whether a resident is using oxygen, wheelchair or other assistive devices and whether the residents are receiving professional home care. I would like to have all your updates ASAP so I can have new zone sheets printed. Thanks for your cooperation."