Thanks to Sam Barnard, one of our ‘flag guys’, our U.S. and Arizona flags are flying once again at Esperanza Park on Holgado. Sam returned from his summer sojourn this past week and immediately set about restoring our flags to their appropriate place. We thank Sam very much for his efforts in keeping our flags flying and in good order.

Pickleball is being played at our tennis court Tuesdays, beginning at 7 a.m., so all players here over the summer come on up and join us. We play for about 2 hours, or quit when the sun becomes too warm. Great exercise, fun, and a very social game.

The gravel at Sunset Park, within the pool enclosure, Rinconcito de Esperanza, and one of the quad yards has been replenished, and looks very nice. None of these areas have had gravel added for some time and were on schedule for this work. Next time you are near the pool or Sunset Park, stop and take a look at how nice they appear. The pool, the Ramada, and Sunset Park are sort of the heart of Esperanza Estates, and need to be kept looking their best. They add value to every home in our entire subdivision.

We just learned that someone has wired closed the gate to the West Desert Preserve, at the west end of Excelso. This gate has provided access to this popular walking area for many years. Don’t know who did this or what their authority might have been, but for the time being there is definitely no access available through this gate. Access to the area is available through Arroyo Number 9, to the south of our tennis/pickle ball court. The same fence crosses the wash, but it is easily traversable at that location. There is also unimpeded access at the top of Calle de Oro, in Las Campanas, where there is a pedestrian gate.

Our annual monsoonal weed crop is showing great promise this year, but will be tackled for elimination beginning next week. The landscape maintenance people will be spraying in the common areas until all have been taken care of. Owners are reminded that weed spraying in your yard is your responsibility (other than quads), and the Board asks that you take care of it regularly, or have your hired people do the same. If for physical or financial reasons you are unable to address weeds in your yard, help is available. Call 399-0455.

A terrific and unexpected squall left us with more than a half inch of rain last Thursday evening. Most welcome, and the first rain we have seen for a couple of weeks. Many thanks to Jerry and Delores McCall of Regalo, who decided they needed some exercise and so shoveled and hauled away all of the sand that had washed down onto lower Napa following the last couple of rains.

An application to Pima County for help with the sand that regularly washes onto our streets from the Bridge Park wash was laughed at by the County. They say it is our problem to solve--but warned us not to do anything to resolve it without their permission. Typical Pima County response to any problem.

Have a good week.