Marlborough Mesa

FEBRUARY NEWS 2002

Mar 18, 2002

CONTACT ...

For information concerning this newsletter, please contact: Jim and Alma Jones at: jnajones@cybertrails.com,
1031 W. Posada Avenue
480-831-1525 or 602-321-1139.

If you would like to receive Neighborhood Emails, please send your name, address and email. This information if kept private and confidential.



2nd ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT and COMMUNITY PICNIC PLANNING BEGINS

by Linda Murphy

This years Easter Event will be held March 23rd from 10:00am to 12 noon. So mark your calendars now. We are planning on the same activities as last year, with an egg hunt, prizes and lunch with the same Easter Planning Group.

Below is a list of things we need at a REALLY good price or donated:

* Clear wrap to group the grand prizes together OR yellow wrapping paper.
* Yellow or light green wide ribbon.
* Small prizes like last years donations of "JEEPERS" passes, to put inside the plastic eggs.
* Candy with NO chocolate, last year we got the 5 pd bags from Party City for the bags.
* Ketchup, mustard and relish
* Plates, napkins
* Hot dogs, buns, chips, water, soda

If you have any of the above items or can donate them, please contact Linda Murphy at 820-5742.



CALLING ALL COMPUTER TECH'S

We need a SOLUTION to a PROBLEM. Mind you, I am not certain there IS a solution ?– only that a problem exists. I do not know enough to venture even to write about it, therefore, I am asking you.

With the advent of all the newest anti-virus protection programs out there, we in Marlborough find ourselves in a unique situation. Many of you (at least two-thirds of this development) are on the Neighborhood Group Email, in which I may send a message to you throughout the month (in between these newsletters) about things happening within our neighborhood. These messages are few ?– and may be good or bad, but I hate to say ?– mostly bad news comes with these emails. But, they do inform everyone very quickly ?… whether it was the flag burnings we had after 9-11 or the mail being stolen before and after that. (Gilbert police caught one of the women.)

I feel certain that it is easier for you to pick up an email than it is to go to the website, which is why that method was started in the first place. However, that may have to change unless you Computer Techs out there can help. Since we are all receiving increased unwanted emails, people change their email settings or their ISP controls that function, so when I send out that friendly ?“Neighborhood Email?” ?– I am included in the ?“Spam Email?” that cannot get by whatever setting your machine is set at. Thus ?– I get some back ?– and there have been a great deal lately. I realize there is no easy solution to this, since everyone wants to limit the amount of emails they receive, so I am calling YOUUUUUU for help ?– if indeed there is any.

You can send your ?“fixes?” to me directly at jnajones@cybertrails.com OR ?… post it in the Talk About It section of our website or both. I will compile the various solutions with HOW TO CHANGE SETTINGS (step by step) in the next newsletter. Many people are NEW to the computer world and do not even know those basics, so when you write something, please keep this in mind.

I know we have a WEALTH of knowledge in Marlborough and so many of you have come to MY aid when dealing with computer problems, that I hope you will take just a few minutes and share your knowledge with some of the ?“newer?” computer users.

If you are reading this right now and have not received any messages from me in the last few days, please check your settings if you wish to continue receiving updates regarding our neighborhood.

If you have not sent me your email and would like to receive these updates, send it to the above email.


NEW VIRUSES TO AVOID:

I know there must be many more)

1.) This one was from Barry Myers:

SUBJECT: new photos from my party!

MESSAGE: Hello!

My party... It was absolutely amazing! I have attached my web page with new photos! If you can please make color prints of my photos. Thanks!

Attached Filename:
www.myparty.yahoo.com


2.) Another from Jessica Schepler:

This one was from an email address with a woman?’s name and @ nails. I think it was Rhonda@Nails. The e-mail was a message that sounded like a cover letter --- Talking about why she felt she would be "a valuable addition to your team." It was signed the woman?’s name which was something (I think Rhonda) Nails. The attachment said resume.exe. My software removed the attachment and alerted me to the virus, so I don?’t have it.

3.) Another from Jane Jones:
Another virus going around is called "It Takes Guts to Say Jesus". If you open it, it will totally erase your hard drive.

Since we are getting more and more of these virus messages, perhaps the very best place to place them for everyone to see is on our DISCUSSION board on the website. I can tell by the numbers that MANY people go there ?– why not post them? It is VERY easy to do and takes only a moment ?… no more time than sending an email.



NEIGHBORHOOD PICTURES and TV

Now that the curb-numbering is complete, all the pictures of individuals who helped with the project are online on our website under Neighborhood PHOTOS. Thank you Marty!

Also, Channel 11 is doing a story on our little neighborhood! It will air sometime in March. I will give more details as I find out ?… date, time, etc. It is an article on Mesa?’s internet connectivity and making sure all areas are ?“wired.?” Should be interesting.


MARLBOROUGH MESA SAFETY TEAM

After the Marlborough Mesa Safety Team created and distributed to residents the "Safety Survey" in December, they asked that those be filled out and returned by January 15, 2002. We all know that the holidays is a busy time for everyone, so if you have not returned your survey yet, please do so.

Laurel Aslamy is now drafting their Mission Statement and Zubair is in the process of tallying the survey results. They are planning a meeting probably this month to begin work with at least one of the survey items that was most important to you, the residents.


TAXES AND YOUR HOME

by John Brooks

Are you paying too much or did you pay too much in tax for your home? As a resident of Marlborough Mesa for the past 3 years, I was concerned when I bought my house, as to whether I was getting what I was paying for. The house was marketed at one figure for square footage and that figure was derived from the tax rolls. When I had my appraisal done, my square footage did not match ?– it was less than what the home was marketed for ?– enough to mean that I would be paying for a small room that didn?’t exist. I had the square footage changed and my taxes decreased by the appropriate amount.

We all know that square footage in all homes is approximate and if you think or wonder if your square footage is accurate, take out your last tax bill and compare it with what you measure the outside of your house (excluding garages, sheds, covered patios, etc.). If you find you are paying too much tax, you can request a tax change with the assessor?’s office. They will request that you get an appraisal, but this may save you some money on your tax bills.


YOUR LONG DISTANCE PHONE COMPANY

by Jane Jones

Are you tired of the long distance phone companies calling every night to compete for your business? Are you aware you are paying a minimum charge whether you make a long distance call that month or not? Then do what I did. Call Qwest and tell them you no longer want long distance on your phone line. After it has been removed you can use one of the many 10-10 numbers to make any of your long distance calls ?– and for less per minute. My favorite is 10-10-811. It is .05 per minute 24 hours a day with no minimum charge. ?…It?’s only a phone call away ?…


MARLBOROUGH MESA DIRECTORY OF SERVICES

If you have not included your name in the Marlborough Mesa Directory of Services and would like to do so, send in your name, address, number, email and business to jnajones@cybertrails.com

You will probably note that you are being directed to another email other than Rhonda Merkel?’s. This is because sadly she and Harold will be leaving us. They have talked about this for a long time and have decided it is time for that move. And because of this, we will need someone to do what Rhonda has begun. We will not print these directories but probably 2 times a year, but the person taking on that responsibility will only have to add/remove names and information as they change.

Please help ?– this takes SO little of your time and you will rarely have to deal with it at all. But we need another RESPONSIBLE person to take the lead with this as Rhonda has done in the past. And ?– thank you Rhonda for the idea and the effort in making that first publication a ?“great beginning?”.



TREASURY REPORT

by Bob and Lolita Gates

The total contributions to the Curb Painting Project amounted to $794.00. If anyone still wishes to contribute to this, they can drop off a check (made payable to Lolita Gates) at 904 W. Pampa.

As of January 22, 2002 the balance in our account is $2048.91. Since $500 must remain in the account at all times in case of vandalism to the entrance signs, this leaves a working balance of $1548.91.


MORE HOMES FOR SALE

In our 23 years of living in Marlborough, I don?’t believe we have seen as many homes for sale. As I have spoken with the various owners?’ ?… circumstances, etc., it seems that many have relocated due to job changes and some are just upgrading while interest rates are low. Consequently, we have many younger buyers and first time homebuyers.

This means we will have many NEW neighbors in the coming months. Please keep your eyes open and when they move in, send me an email at jnajones@cybertrails.com or phone 480-831-1525 or 602-321-1139 and a Welcome Basket will be delivered. If we ALL help with this and do one small part, no one will be left out. It is more important than ever before that we know WHO our neighbors are.


LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT AND MARLBOROUGH MESA'S CHILDREN

By Carol Behrend

(Deadline and details in acting upon this are at the bottom)
How can the light rail system affect our children? Let me share with you what I know about the light rail construction.

Beginning in West Phoenix, the light rail system in Mesa and Tempe will run through the center of Apache Blvd./Main Street. There will be park-and-ride-lots along the way. These parking lots will be public and, to the best of my knowledge for, but not limited to, the light rail passengers.

The end of the line for this phase of construction is East Valley Institute of Technology District #401 (EVIT) at Main and Longmore. Longmore is between Alma School and Dobson Roads. EVIT is a public vocational/technological school district serving high school students from ten East Valley school districts. The light rail transit planners selected this site after the owners of the shopping mall on the northeast corner of Main and Dobson refused to sell a portion of their property.

Far-sighted East Valley school districts?’ superintendents petitioned the State Legislature to create a public school district where experienced, professional instructors would teach students. Upon course completion, students would be skilled enough to get a job or go to college. Establishing the district was placed on the ballot and approved by the voters. The cost for this school district appears as a secondary tax on the property tax bill for all property owners in Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Higley, Apache Junction, J.O. Combs, Scottsdale and Fountain Hills school districts.

Currently the sending school districts provide student transportation to and from EVIT, some students?’ drive their own vehicles and a few ride the public bus. The school also has evening classes for adults who pay tuition to attend.

It is my understanding that the Light Rail Transit Project wants to buy approximately seven acres from EVIT and build a parking lot for 700 cars. This is in addition to the Valley Metro buses already using the campus as a rest stop/turn around. If restroom facilities are not included in the construction, passengers would use the student and EVIT staff restroom facilities in the school buildings.

How does this affect us? Some EVIT students live in Marlborough Mesa and also attend Dobson High School. Would we like to see this kind of project built on the Dobson Campus? Would our students be safe with 700 extra vehicles on a campus not designed for them? Would our students be safe with strangers roaming the school buildings and using the restroom facilities? To the best of my knowledge EVIT has one security guard and one Mesa law enforcement officer furnished by the Mesa Police Department. We as taxpayers are still paying off the cost of purchasing the land and building the school. If EVIT sells the land to the Light Rail Transit Project does the money reduce what we owe on the thirty-nine million-dollar bond issue or how will it be used? There was a meeting on January 29th in the auditorium in the two story building on the EVIT campus.

It is not too late to voice your opinion and perhaps make some necessary changes. I urge you to do so.

Citizens can phone the Light Rail at 602-534-1807 or send their comments no later than 2/19 via the internet
at deis_comment@valleyconnections.com. Your name and address must be included. This information came from Marc Sorenson of the Light Rail Project. Information and design is available at the libraries and city offices as well as the City of Mesa website found on our own homepage. It is scheduled to be completed by late 2006.

Written comments can be submitted to:
Wulf Grote, Project Director, Regional Public Transportation Authority
411 N. Central Ave., Ste. 200
Phoenix, AZ 85004
OR
Hymie Luden, City and Regional Planner, Federal Transit Administration,
201 Mission St., Ste. 2210, San Francisco, CA 94105



A GREAT WAY TO CHECK OUT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

By Cecil Duarte
Yahoo has a cool resource for getting information about your neighborhood or a neighborhood to where you might be thinking about moving. Just enter a city and state or a zip code to gain access to demographic data, such as the median age, income and cost of living as well as annual temperatures and crime index. The URL is http://list.realestate.yahoo.com/re/neighbor/



CITY OF MESA -- DISTRICT 3 NEWS -- MARLBOROUGH MESA

by Councilman Dennis Kavanaugh

First, I would like to offer my appreciation to those Marlborough Mesa residents who attended our first District 3 Pancake Breakfast hosted by Mesa Fire Department and Station #207 on January 25, 2002. We look forward to hosting several similar events later this year for District 3 residents.

City elections are coming up! The primary election is March 12th with councilmembers being on the ballot in Districts 4, 5 and 6. Elections in our District 3 will occur in March 2004. Proposition 300 (Wal-Mart) is the only citywide measure on the March 12, 2002 primary ballot. Registered voters should receive publicity pamphlets from the City Clerk?’s office shortly. For election information call 644-2381.

Additional public hearings to review the proposed revisions to the City General Plan have been scheduled. The District 3 meeting will be held at Rhodes Junior High on Tuesday, March 19th, 2002 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

The nationally ranked ASU baseball team will be playing its home games in Mesa at HoHoKam Park this spring. The City of Mesa is proud to be partnering with Arizona State University in this effort. Join me in rooting on the Sun Devils! For ticket information call (480) 965-2381.

The Dobson Road/US 60 overpass improvement project is scheduled for completion in February 2002. The Alma School/US 60 overpass improvement project is slated to begin in February 2002. This is expected to be a six-month project with completion scheduled for July 2002.

District 3 will be the site of the 38th annual Arizona Scottish Gathering and Highland Games on February 23rd and 24th, 2002 at Mesa Community College. I will be serving as one of the Game Hosts. The City of Mesa has been a sponsor of this event for a number of years. It is one of the largest highland games in the United States. For more information call (602) 431-0095.

The Mesa Days Miniature Parade is scheduled for March 2nd. Call our Parks and Recreation Department at 644-2351 for entry information.

Please don?’t hesitate to contact me at 644-3003 or Lisa Blyler, my assistant, at 644-5295 if you have any questions regarding City issues.



CHECK YOUR MEDICINE CABINET

By Vince Mando

This was an email (in part) that originally surfaced in November of 2000: All drugs containing
Phenylpropanolamine are being recalled (or have been) and pulled from their shelves. Stop taking anything containing this ingredient. It has been linked to increased hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in brain) among women ages 18-49 in the three days after starting use of medication. FDA recommended that everyone (including children) seek alternative medicine. You have undoubtedly heard all this before but just in case ?…

The following medications contain Phenylpropanolamine

Acutrim Maximum Strength Appetite Control
Alka-Seltzer Plus Children's Cold Medicine
Effervescent Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold medicine (cherry/orange)
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine
Effervescent Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Flu Medicine
Effervescent Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Sinus
Effervescent Alka Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold medicine
Effervescent BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder
BC Sinus Cold Powder
Comtrex Deep Chest Cold & Congestion Relief
Comtrex Flu Therapy & Fever Relief Day & Night
Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules
Contac 12 Hour Caplets
Coricidin D Cold, Flu & Sinus
Dexatrim Caffeine Free
Dexatrim Extended Duration
Dexatrim Gelcaps
Dexatrim Vitamin C/Caffeine Free
Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewable Tablets
Dimetapp Cold & Cough Liqui-Gels
Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough Elixir
Dimetapp Elixir
Dimetapp 4 Hour Liquid Gels
Dimetapp 4 Hour Tablets
Dimetapp 12 Hour Extentabs Tablets
Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops
Permathene Mega-16
Robitussin CF
Tavist-D 12 Hour Relief of Sinus & Nasal Congestion
Triaminic DM Cough Relief
Triaminic Expectorant Chest & Head Congestion
Triaminic Syrup Cold & Allergy
Triaminic Triaminicol Cold & Cough

Apparently Triaminic drug producers are (or have) voluntarily recalled the following medicines because of a certain ingredient that is causing strokes and seizures in children. (You may still want to verify by calling the 800# on the bottle.)

Orange 3D Cold & Allergy
Cherry (Pink) 3D Cold & Cough
Berry 3D Cough Relief
Yellow 3D Expectorant

They are asking you to call them at 800-548-3708 with the lot number on the box so they can send you postage for you to send it back to them, and they will also issue you a refund.

The official FDA official website is:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/default.htm if you want to check it out. Go to the Phenylpropanolamine Information Page.


BASKETS BY BECKY -- VALENTINE'S DAY IS THIS MONTH

How about a VALENTINE BASKET for someone special?

Becky will tailor a basket to fit your individual needs for someone special. Think about all the birthdays, holidays and special occasions you are just not sure what to purchase that particular person. Go see her -- she will let you browse through a closet of perfectly arranged items to choose from. You cannot go wrong with one of her gift baskets, for YOU get to pick! Her number is 838-2993 and she lives on Pampa.

If you need something quick -- just give her a phone call and a few hints on what you would like in it and you can pick it up on your way home.
__________________

Becky Chvarak assembles the ?“ingredients?” for the Marlborough Welcome Baskets. Until Becky indicated she would like this job, we have only been able to have Welcome Packets. Becky is very talented in this area and always has at least 5 baskets ?“packaged?” and ready to go into the hands of a New Neighbor.

We do not need many of these baskets, but we need them large enough for a folder 9 ?½ x 11 ?½ to fit ?– plus all the other items. So, if you find that you have extra baskets around or can pick one up reasonably, please do. Bring them by 1031 W. Posada and I will see that Becky gets them.