Esperanza Estates received some nice publicity in the Green Valley News last Wednesday when a front page article appeared about the visit from Marines Miramontes and his buddy, Robert Highet.  An additional article appeared yesterday in Regina Ford's column. Their visit to EE was to thank Nancy Moore and the many others who participated in sending packages to the soldiers fighting in Iraq, back in 2006.

Within the next week or so, the 2010 EE Home Tour photos will be edited and added to the website, with 'Esperanza Estates Tour' topic as the headlining item. Watch for them.

The book, Love Stories of Esperanza Estates, is now available for purchase. A number were sold at the Home Tour wine and cheese fest last Sunday, but copies remain for sale. This 214 page, nicely bound volume tells the love stories of 25 of our EE residents, and reads very well. On the book’s cover is a nice photo of the EE entrance sign. It is a great memento of Esperanza Estates--probably the only subdivision in history that has ever authored a book other than a cook book. Call  Sanday at 393-1427, or Melodye at 399-0455 to reserve a copy.

Hours of Pickleball play have been changed from noon to 10:00 am. Days of play, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, remain the same. The change was made to accommodate the warmer weather now being experienced. The EE pickleball players have started their own page on Facebook under the title “The Pickleage @ Esperanza Estates”. Check it out on Facebook. It contains some interesting articles and videos about the game.

The Water Aerobics Exercise Class will resume today (Mon., March 29) from 8:30 to 9:30 am. and continue on Mon., Wed., & Fri. at that time until further notice.

Our common areas manager, Stoney Brown, has been at it again in Mesquite park on Holgado. He has cleaned and straightened up the area, removed a lot of the black plastic that had worked its way up to the surface, and neatened up most of the stonework along the path that passes through the Park. Stoney more than lives up to his namesake, as anywhere in EE that you see neatly configured stonework, you will either find Stoney, or find that he has just left. The amount of volunteer work he does in our subdivision to keep things looking good is amazing. If the HOA had to pay him by the hour--we couldn’t afford him.

About 75 members of the Valle Verde Rotary Club, including Club members from other Rotary Clubs around the United States enjoyed a meeting and dinner at Sunset Ramada this past Friday evening.

The EE Home Tour has filed its final financial report. The Tour was a big success, netting $1409 for the Enhancement Team to use in its betterment and improvement work for projects within our community.  Chairperson Donna Collins and all of her many helpers did an outstanding job in putting together and conducting the Tour, and are already putting together plans for the next Tour, which will take place in 2012. Anyone who may have comments about the Tour, suggestions, ideas for the next time, etc. should contact Donna or any one of her committee, or call 399-0455. Thanks to all who supported the Tour.

Remember the April 19 date when the pool and spa will be closed for two weeks to allow for their re-plastering. Plan your activities, and those of your guests,  accordingly. This is a firm date.

A few EE residents are currently forming a group to develop a xeriscape garden in Esperanza Estates. The garden will not only further enhance our community but will give residents an opportunity to work together to learn and apply the principles of xeriscape gardening. Xeriscaping is “quality landscaping that conserves water and protects the environment.” The garden will be a major initiative requiring the skills, talents and ideas of many volunteers to design the garden, prepare the site, select and plant a variety of plants, and maintain the garden on an ongoing basis. Opportunities will be available for both full time and winter residents. No prior desert gardening (or any gardening) experience is necessary – just a willingness to learn and a desire to work with your neighbors on yet another project that will make Esperanza a special place to live. If you are interested in participating or would like further information, call Cynthia Surprise at 205-2742, or plan to attend our first meeting to be held at Sunset Ramada on Wednesday, March 31st, at 2:30 p.m.

Have a good week, and a happy Easter.