About 85 people enjoyed a festive event at Sunset Ramada last Wednesday with the annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, sponsored by our always faithful and energetic Hospitality Committee. They worked a good part of the day to decorate the Ramada appropriately, and it looked great. There was Mexican music, beer, margueritas, soda, and an enormous array of choice Mexican dishes and appetizers brought by the attendees. It was a warm evening with a bit of wind, but the screens and the fans kept the area comfortable and pleasant. Many thanks to our Committee, and to all who worked to make this event so enjoyable.

Give yourselves a big pat on the back as well for the 243 pounds of food and toiletry items collected at the Cinco de Mayo festivities! Many thanks to all who donated. This makes well over 1000 pounds our subdivision has contributed since last December, when our collection efforts began. Don and Pam Bjorkman are our liaison with the Food Bank and provide the collection bins at our events.

The regular May meeting of the EE Board will be next Monday, May 17, at the Ramada at 1:00 pm. An agenda will accompany the May 17 edition of the Memo.

Many thanks to Eric and Jane Ellingson, who have permitted us once again to store the Ramada heaters in their garage over the summer months. This enables us to keep them in a secure location and out of the way during the months they are not needed, and we are most appreciative for their help. By the way, Jane left us the beautiful flower arrangement at the pool gate--which we will try to keep alive as long as possible. The Ellingsons are two people we are proud live in Esperanza Estates. They are always there when help or advice is needed.

We were successful in getting the pool and spa reopened at noon this past Friday. The delay over the advertised closing time was due to the need to order some of the new pool railings that have been installed, but we are back in business now with a newly refurbished pool and spa that look great, and will not require re-plastering for many years into the future.

The new street lights have been ordered and are on their way. A few (of the worst) will be replaced over the summer months, but the main campaign will begin about October 1, when many of our winter residents will have returned. This program (installation) will be done by volunteer labor, and we will be looking for help. If you are somewhat handy and willing to aid in the project, keep us in mind. Anyone who wishes to install their own new lamp head can do so. Call 399-0455 to get on this list. These installations do not require any advanced skills, and little in the way of electrical skill is needed. Questions? Call 399-0455.

We are in the process of trying to come up with a plan for the trash cans and cleaning tools at the Ramada. Presently they occupy the southeast corner area, but they look pretty rough and presently there are too many containers, and too many implements. Various ideas for how to improve the looks of that area are being considered, and if you have one, let a Board member or a member of the Enhancement Team know of it. We are in the process of cleaning out one of the storage lockers in the pool enclosure and changing the door so it will open outward instead of in, to use for storage of some of the Ramada cleaning implements. This will help somewhat, but the overall problem remains. Future plans will be reported as developed.

A team from EE consisting of Stoney Brown, Bob Hunton, and Jim Lindberg worked for half a day in Arroyo Number 9, removing the Bufflegrass between Holgado and Portillo. This pervasive weed is spreading dangerously in the desert surrounding Green Valley, and is a threat to the natural ecology of the area. Many thanks to our eradication team for their hard work on this problem.

Thanks to Charlie and Salley Elliot for putting out flags on the mailboxes on upper Napa.

The Memo will come to you next week from EE Vice-President Bruce Liljegren, as the editor will be traveling out of the area.

Have a good week.