HOA Board Meets Today
Drop by the Ramada at 1pm today to check out the last of the summer board meetings. Cushions are available, but you'll need to provide your own refreshments. The agenda (which looks remarkably familiar) appears at the bottom of this memo.

Marvelous Margarita Night
The Cookes and the Millers have put aside the donuts this month and are stepping it up a notch with free margaritas. Be at the Ramada at 4:00 on Wednesday for your taste of southwest summer. Bring an appetizer (I can't spell horsy dourvy.) if you'd like.

They Have a Real Racket Going
And they want you to join them at the EE tennis courts on Fridays at 8:00 a.m. The tennis club is staying active this summer and would welcome new members. This is a fun group who likes a good party as well as a good match. You can recognize them by their EE Tennis Club tee shirts and caps.

Attention Writers!
Several years ago Esperanza Estates published a book of 23 love stories written by residents of our community and edited by Sandy Reed. It made little money for our HOA, but gave pleasure to many and added to the reputation of Esperanza as an innovative and creative place. Now, Sandy is proposing to create a collection of short stories (fiction and non-fiction), written by residents, on any subject. To be part of this project, contact Sandy at areed56@cox.net or 520-393-1427 or 520-648-0334. Have an idea for a story, but need assistance with the writing? Sandy will be happy to help you.

Pool Palm Perfection
If you noticed the spruced up palm trees surrounding the EE pool and wondered who to thank, give a shout out to Dean Hess for arranging the "shave and a haircut" done by Monstrosity Tree service. Then give Tom Cooke a big pat on the back for cleaning up the debris in the pool area following the project. The pool and Ramada area are safer and more attractive due to their efforts. Neighbors of the pool are especially happy to have the "thunk, thunk" of palm pieces hitting their roofs become a thing of the past.

Fire Hazard
"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"  Philosophers have been debating that question for centuries. But there's no question that if a palm tree catches fire in Esperanza, it can cause significant damage. Since our HOA Board is comprised of pragmatists rather than philosophers, trimming your tall palms isn't up for debate. If you haven't trimmed your tall palms by June 30, the HOA will have it done, and charge the cost plus a 50% surcharge to you.

Ramada Gets Further Enhancement
You'll have to look very carefully to see the latest improvement that Barb McCalpin and the Enhancement Team have funded. An attractive sun/wind screen has been added to the north side of the kitchen. The see-through screen, track and hardware blend right in with the Norfolk Brown pillars. Kitchen helpers will appreciate the protection from the wind and maybe even from a monsoon rain or two. Many thanks to all involved.

Timer Kaput
The timer on the Sunset Park fountain quit after working way past its expected service life. Tom Cooke has arranged to have it fixed and it should be back in action later this week. The birds of the Ramada area and those who love watching them will be especially thankful.

Sports Courts Shelter Is Monsoon Ready
Good news. Emil Ziemer has completed the repair work on the damaged roof at the tennis/pickleball shelter. With the newly installed drain, the water will not be able to pool on the roof any longer and instead will drain off into the French drain that was constructed as part of the restroom project.

EE WWII Vet Honored
Trish Rodemeyer received a framed flag and certificate dedicated to her in honor of her late husband, Jim, a World War II Marine veteran. You can read the full story on the front page of the Sunday GV News.

For the Birds
Love the birds in Green Valley, but don't want the mess of stocking feeders? During the summer most of your feathered friends will find enough to eat among the desert flora, but water is at a premium. A bird bath as simple as a 10-inch diameter x 1-inch deep plastic saucer will draw Lesser Gold Finches, Gila Woodpeckers, Anna's Hummingbirds, Hooded Orioles, and Cardinals--just to name a few. Rinsing and refilling daily will keep them coming.

Are the Monsoons Upon Us?
Is that a drop of moisture trickling down the outside of your glass? Does your afternoon view include those magnificent alabaster structures in the sky overhead? Are those towels you spread on the patio drying rack this morning still damp? Yes!! Let's hope the lightning shows, brilliantly-hued sunsets, and rain are not far behind.

Watch Your Step
A resident reported a visit by a really big snake in her yard one morning last week. Just a reminder that if you are doing any watering in your yard, look very carefully around the garden hose.