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RCENO MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Racquet Club Estates Neighborhood Organization is to improve the quality of life in our neighborhood. As a team of neighbors we meet to discuss and act upon issues affecting our neighborhood; striving to improve the safety and appearance of our neighboorhood and to enhance communications among neighbors and with the city. Racquet Club Estates Neighborhood Background Racquet Club Estates Neighborhood Organization (R.C.E.N.O.) became an officially recognized organization by the City of Palm Springs in spring, 2008. The City of Palm Springs' Office of Neighborhood Involvement (www.palmspringsneighborhoods.com) encourages and assists in the development of neighborhood organizations within the city. These neighborhoods enjoy an increased involvement in government affairs, improved communication between citizens and city government, and they help to facilitate programs and projects of benefit to neighborhoods and the city. With nearly 550 single family residences, R.C.E.N.O. is quite possibly the largest of Palm Springs' neighborhood organizations. Our organization area is roughly contained within the streets of San Rafael, Ave. Caballeros, Vista Chino, and Indian Canyon Drive. The vast majority of residences in our unique neighborhood are attributed to very iconic and respected area developers and architects. In addition, much of our neighborhood will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, which R.C.E.N.O. intends to commemorate with various functions. Designed by the respected architect William Krisel A.I.A., the Racquet Club Road Estates development was the largest single-family tract home venture built by the famed Alexander Construction Company, and comprises the greatest area of R.C.E.N.O. The beauty of these post and beam homes designed in the mid-century modern vernacular is found in the soaring waferthin rooflines, clerestory windows, an open floor plan, and a unique indoor-outdoor relationship. Enormous lot sizes contribute greatly toward the livability and enjoyment of these homes. The Meiselman homes, located towards R.C.E.N.O.'s southern boundary, is another sizeable block of historic mid-century modern residences built using the post and beam technique, clerestory windows, tongue and groove ceilings, scored stucco treatments, and walls of glass that contribute to indoor-outdoor enjoyment of amenities. Both Alexander and Meiselman hoped to capture and capitalize on the growing "second home market" of the era, appealing to potential buyers interested in an affordable vacation home. Lastly, R.C.E.N.O. is proud to represent the seven Donald Wexler A.I.A. designed homes near its northwestern most boundary. These most innovative homes are designated as Palm Springs Class One Historic Sites. The "Wexler's" epitomize the exuberance and optimism of the mid-century modern era. They also showed their functionality of implementation, whereas every component of the entire home could be placed within its central core (kitchen, dual bathrooms) and literally shipped anywhere in the world. The unfortunate downfall of the Wexler homes was that they were constructed entirely of a steel interior and exterior. A sharp increase in the cost of steel shortly after construction of the seven homes made it unfeasible to build additional units. Racquet Club Estates Neighborhood Organization in many respects represents a very traditional neighborhood, a mature, established neighborhood with a school, park, and a fire station. But we are also a neighborhood that in recent years has enjoyed an infusion of a new and vibrant energy...motivated residents willing to work hard to protect and improve upon our quality of life that is created within this unique setting.