Thanks are due once again to Stoney Brown and Bob Hunton, who do more in a week to help maintain our streets than our inept Pima County government has done in the past 10 years. All of the many potholes in EE’s portion of Portillo have been repaired courtesy of these two because of the abject neglect of the County. Sad, but true. Several weeks ago, a request was made that the County pick up those piles of sand that had washed out onto Portillo during the summer rains, and been swept up by EE volunteers. Guess what? The sand was still there until last Friday, when three of our residents, disgusted with the County's inaction, and tired of seeing piles of sand on Portillo, removed it.

The Green Valley Fire District is inviting community residents to a free breakfast on Friday, October 15. They will serve pancakes, sausages and beverages at their new fire station 155, located at 898 N. Campbell Ave. in Sahuarita (in the Quail Creek community). This is in thanks for the support of the community, and to celebrate Fire Prevention Week. You might want to put this “freebee” on your calendar and attend.

Remember as well to note the first fall Hamburger Nite by our much-lauded Hospitality Committee, on October 12. Cocktails at 4:30, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, or veggie-burgers, table served by attractive waitresses at 5:00. Cost? A nominal $5. Please bring a can of food for the Food Bank. These events are always fun.

The first Free Coffee and Donuts of the fall will be held October 13 at the Ramada. Watch for times and further information, but the date is firm. The starting time on this event changes a bit with the weather.

The Valle Verde Rotary Club enjoyed one of their annual functions last Saturday at our Ramada, as they have in the past. Remember, the Ramada is available to you for parties, reunions, picnics, etc. with only a few restrictions. We encourage its use and enjoyment by our residents and their guests. Details? Call 399-0455.

Many thanks to Rich Ramirez and Shura Wallin for spraying the weeds in all of the yards of non-residents on lower Excelso. Thanks as well to Lothar Koenigs for doing the same in the common area on upper del Sur. This effort is most important in trying to keep our neighborhood looking its best. For those who may have noticed some “scorched earth” in various areas of EE, the reason is Stoney Brown’s new weed burner which he has been using all over the subdivision.

Marvol Barnard, Esperanza Estate’s pride and golf professional, has advised us of the following:

Marvol is also interested in learning people’s reaction to the use of online scheduling. It would allow students to book their lessons with her via the Internet, vs. calling and scheduling with her by phone. Online scheduling would allow the student to select the days and times that work best for them, without waiting for a phone call from her. Bookings could be made from your computer or smart phone, at any time of the day or night. The student would also have access to a variety of lesson options, as well as seeing what class offerings are going on over a several-month period. Let her know your thoughts at her phone or email above.

Another recent episode in EE about a broken water line emphasizes the need to have a house sitter or someone who can watch your house during periods of absence--especially over the summer months. In this case, the main water spigot into the patio area broke off, allowing the water to flow full force into the patio. How long it had been running is unknown, but it was several days, and may have been much longer. The home was not occupied, nor were any of the several around it. The patio was overgrown with untrimmed Pyracantha, thus blocking the ability to see into the patio from the sidewalk. Fortunately, a passerby who had heard the water flowing for a couple of days while walking by checked and was able to see that it was a broken faucet. He alerted Neighborhood Watch, which took action to have the water turned off at the curb. The waste of water was large, and although no damage assessment has been done, there could be significant flooding, erosion, mold, and other damages. This doesn’t make sense. Every owner in EE has a significant investment in their property. It is simply foolish to walk away for months at a time, leaving the house to chance. There are several house sitting services in Green Valley---a couple right in our subdivision--who can help with this issue. Two services which advertise in the Peridico (and are both operated by EE residents) are Larry and Tammy Kempton, (520) 403-8766, and Joe Vitello, (520) 625-1404 or (520) 241-9525. A word to the wise….

The name Gary Chelseth was inadvertently left off of the list of volunteers who installed lamp heads in the story about the project that appeared in the September Periodico. Gary installed several of them on Regalo, and is due the thanks of the HOA. The author of the article regrets the error.