Marlborough Mesa

MARCH NEWS 2002

Apr 09, 2002

2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Community Picnic

By Linda Murphy (Spruce)

If you live within the boundaries of Alma Sch Road and Extension ?… Guadalupe and the Chandler border ?– this is Marlborough Mesa and you are invited!!!

The event will be held on Saturday, March 23rd at 10:00 am at our park. Like last year a grant from the Mesa United Way will help to purchase the food, drinks and prizes. To add to the fun, please bring your favorite dessert to share with your neighbors.

The ages for the egg hunt will be a little different this year and the races will be held one at a time. The age groups are:

?· 4 yrs & under
?· 5-7 years
?· 8-11 years

A few ?“things?” you should know:
* A parent MUST accompany all children
* No child will receive more than 1 prize
* All parents are responsible for ?“going thru?” the bags and baskets their children may receive.
* You may want to consider bringing a chair, field games for children, etc. IF you do, please remember to put your name on those items.
* In case of lots of rain ?– this event will be held after
Easter. Notification will be on our website.

We are still looking for some young people to help both before and during the event. (We need our teens.) If you can help, please contact me, Linda Murphy at 480-820-5742. For anyone wishing to help set up, please be at the park at 9:30 am Saturday, March 23rd.

We will have some ?“special?” guests who help us on an ongoing basis with all the things we are able to accomplish. They are Councilman Dennis Kavanaugh, his assistant, Lisa Blyler and Debbie Driscol (and family) from Neighborhood Services.

A few things we still need at a good price or donated:
* Yellow or light green ribbon
* Small prizes like last year?’s donation of ?“JEEPERS?” passes.
* Ketchup, mustard and relish

All donations may be droped of at the Murphy?’s, 3042 S. Spruce. PLEASE do not wait until the last week to contribute or volunteer. Last year?’s event was huge and we anticipate an increase this year.


Park Cleanup Prior to Easter Egg Hunt

By Jennifer Quraishi (Pecos)

As we all know, there are far too many ?“things?” IN the park lying around. Last year, several came out to pick up any foreign objects so that none of the children would be subjected to any of these. Like last year, we need your help in doing the same thing. We will meet AT THE PARK at 8:30 am. This should only take about 30 minutes depending on how many volunteers come down. This would give ample time before the actual park set up would occur. Please email me at jquraishi@earthlink.net or call 345-2276 if you are willing to help.


Neighborhood Spring Garage Sale:

The sale will be Saturday, April 6, 2002.

After inquiring via email which date would be best for this event, the above date has been set.

This should be a big event, since it is spring and ?“Spring Clean Up?” is happening everywhere! We know everyone realizes it will be a very busy day with a lot of traffic ?– we just need to prepare for it and be cautious about where the children are playing.

This will help us to ?“clear out our closets and garages?” and be ready for the Clean Sweep Containers that are coming beginning April 8th.

Thanks to Dale and Debbie Ballard (Posada), we have an ad placed in the Republic and Tribune.

SOMEONE needs to post signs at all our entrances. Please call 831-1525 or 602-321-1139 if you will take this responsibility. Please don?’t wait. We have 4 wooden stand signs for our major entrances that can be picked up at any time.


E-Street Program, Channel 11

Some Marlborough Mesa residents will be part of the E-Street Program that Channel 11 is producing. It is all part of Mesa, its neighborhoods and their ?“connectivity.?” It will air in March and will be posted on our website once the exact date is known at: www.neighborhoodlink.com/mesa/marlborough



Clean Sweep Containers Coming in April


by Lolita Gates (Pampa)

We have signed up Marlborough with the City of Mesa again this year to have the Clean Sweep Dumpsters brought to our neighborhood.

They will be on your street one of the following days: April 8, 15, 22 and 29 and will remain for 3 days only. No containers will be left over a weekend. I will post in the Com. Calendar of our website the day they will be on your street once I receive those dates from the City.

We are allowed to sign up for these 2 times per year. With your cooperation, they will be here again in October if we follow the rules.

Here are those RULES:

Examples of ACCEPTABLE items in the containers:
furniture, wood, palm fronds, old toys, mattresses/box springs, tree branches, BBQ grills (no propane), general household debris (no food waste).

Examples of items NOT to be placed in any container: rock, dirt, concrete, block, tire, construction materials, batteries, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, paint, tires, oil, or any hazardous waste.

REMINDER:

Debris may not extend over the top of the container. Any questions? Call 480-644-4423 or 644-4791. There will be a resident on every street that will be watchful, as we have had problems in the past. If you want to see us continue to have these containers ?– you MUST adhere to these policies set down by the city.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What time are the containers delivered and picked up? 6:30 am - 4:00 pm

How long are containers in place? They will stay 3 days.

Who can use the containers? Any non-commercial resident that lives on the street where the clean up is being held.

Can we stop illegal dumping? All participating residents should assist the Neighborhood Clean Sweep coordinator in patrolling the level of the container as well as the types of items placed in the container. By asking an illegal dumper to leave and telling them they can have containers delivered to their block by calling the number on the container can help to alleviate some of this frustration. Also, you may take a phone number and/or license number of any vehicle along with a description of the person illegally dumping and notify us at 480-644-4791 or 4423.
Unfortunately, illegal dumping cannot be totally eliminated, but you can help minimize it by your alertness.

Why must the containers remain level? To allow for safe tarping and transporting of the containers, all items must be inside and level with the top of the container. This includes any branches or items that may be protruding from the top of the container.

Why do containers sit on one side of the street only? To maintain the safe flow of traffic as well as the safety of residents walking, bicycling or otherwise utilizing the street. Please use care when crossing the street to load the container.

Can you put a container in my driveway or back yard? No. They must be placed in the street for all participants to have access.

Can the Clean Sweep container be emptied or removed when it becomes full? Due to scheduling of the Clean Sweep program, the containers cannot be emptied or removed prior to the scheduled removal dates.

Can I ask the driver to move the container or how can I change the location of the container? We are happy to change locations up to two days prior to the delivery of boxes. Please do not ask the driver.

Hints for Successful Clean Sweep Event:

1. Make certain all residents participating are given FULL details.
2. Do any neighbors need assistance disposing of their items?
3. Make it a community event. Church or Boy Scout troop involved?
4. Any items being disposed of in good condition? Call Disabled American Veterans (480-835-5573), Deseret Industries (964-8783), Family Attic (890-8455), Goodwill (655-9352), St. Vincent de Paul (644-0887). These are just a few organizations that might be interested in collecting these no longer needed items.
5. Abundance of tires in your neighborhood that cannot be placed in the Clean Sweep containers? Is there someone with a truck who could haul them away? The Maricopa County landfill will accept 50 tires from a County resident free of charge on a yearly basis with a permit. Call 602-506-7331 for details or log on to their website at www.maricopa.gov/solid_waste for tire disposal information and to download the necessary permit.

FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
(for a nominal fee, call 480-644-2688 for:)
Bulk items, Appliance Recycling, and Greenwaste Barrels

Call 644-2222 for a monthly opportunity to properly discard your Household Hazardous Waste such as paint, gas, tires and batteries. These items should NOT be disposed of in the Clean Sweep containers.

The Household Hazardous Waste Events are always in your City of Mesa bill PLUS they are on our website in our Community Calendar every month.

The 2002 collection events dates are:
East Side Events in 2002
6935 E. Decature (Power Rd. North of University)
January 19, March 16 and May 18
West Side Events in 2002
February 16, April 20 and June 15

Items accepted: Paints, polished, varnished, and paint related materials, turpentine, aerosol cans, adhesives, motor oil, antifreeze, trans. fluid, fuel additives, pool chemicals, gas, batteries, mercury, pesticides, comp. equip, TV?’s, appliances (limit 2), tires (limit 5) ?– rimsacce[ted pm;u of tore jas beem re,pved.

Items not accepted: commercial/industrial waste, 55 gal. drums of material, large truck tires, radioactive material, explosives.
General Information: Must have most recent trash bill, remain in vehicle when on site, seal materials in original container if possible, label unmarked containers if contents are known.


DES Relocating to 3 New Sites (one to be our neighbor)


The AZ Dept. of Economic Security has relocated to 3 different sites. The one close to us will be the family assistance division and is located on the Southeast corner of Alma School and Guadalupe Rds.

The manager of the new DES facility, Christine Dillon, is open to having a neighborhood meet & greet to answer any questions or concerns we may have. The city neighborhood offices and council are setting this up for us. The date will be posted on our website.

The city has mentioned to Christine that DES is moving into a very organized neighborhood, and she has said they want nothing more than to be good neighbors. The sooner we establish a relationship with them, the better. Once the meeting is set, we can ask any questions we may have. It is a large facility and plenty of room for all ?– hope to see you there.


The Spruce Street Gang +2

When POWER is needed ?– the Spruce Street Gang would be a tough act to follow! Of course, they had a little help from a Westerner (Mollera) and a Northerner (Obispo) too. But all said and done, that cool decking to be torn up around the ?“Pampa Pool Project?” didn?’t stand a chance with these guys.

About 8:30 am a couple of weekends ago, Ron Hedger, Mark Cefalu, Andy Geramanis, John Hodge and Joe Johnson brought TOOLS ?– he-man tools. In about 2 ?½ hours they had completely torn up all cool decking around the pool and dumped it inside! What a team! And what great service these guys did for someone in our community who is so appreciative.


Looking for my Replacement

Jim will retire in the next few months, thus he and I will not always be here to care for the website and most expecially, the newsletter and the many emails I get for a variety of things on a regular basis.

If you would like to see our communications and the opportunities it has provided to us continue, perhaps it could be broken up into smaller parts if necessary, as it has been nearly a full time job for me the last few years.

Email me if you would like to be part of this picture ?– perhaps we can all meet and figure out what is best for our neighbors and how best to split these jobs up. Already, there are 2 young ladies who can help on a limited basis. The BEST thing we have going for us is already in place ?– our website at www.neighborhoodlink.com\mesa\marlborough ?– but we must USE it. Also ... we need to express an interest in the new one at www.mmesa.net which Rick Henry maintains, if we want it to continue our correspondence should anything happen to the present one.

I have also been approached about passing out the printed version of our newsletter once again. IF we have volunteers to do this ?– let me know this also. The EasterGroup2002 did not want anyone in the community to miss the Easter Hunt and Picnic, so this month?’s newsletter is a ?“special?” edition. We will go back to ?“online only?” after this if no one wants the job.


Those Nasty Viruses!

Both my computer and I have been very sick nearly the entire month of March ?– one of the main reasons why this newsletter is so late. I don?’t believe we are really ?… ?“connected?” :) ?… but if you sent a message to jnajones@cybertrails.com and have not heard from me, this is the reason. It was a very desructive virus called vbs.numgame @ mm. Thanks to Rick and son, Eric Henry, it is again up & running!

FYI: I use Norton System Works and all that it entails as well as keeping Norton AntiVirus updated regularly. This virus came by way of a website.


Marlborough Directory of Services

Our first MM Directory went out last fall and was the idea of Rhonda and Harold Merkel (Posada). They are moving but found their replacement before leaving! Thank you both for the many volunteer hours spent on this project as well as delivering the newsletters.

Diane Pyle (Posada) said she would like to volunteer to do it! She wants to get involved. So ?… if you would like to be listed in the next directory, please contact her by phone or email at 480-251-1940 or dpyle@cbsuccess.com and she will let you know the information needed. Also, sometime in April, the Directory will be online on our website.

If you missed the first directory or if any info you submitted has changed, please update Diane. Also, I am asked all the time for tile and carpet layers, blocklayers, locksmiths, electricians and landscapers. GOOD handymen, it seems, are hard to come by and are always being requested. If you have any of these trades, please consider placing your name in that Directory. Business is waiting!



?“To Go, Please?…?”

by Jennifer Quraishi (Pecos)

Scooper Delights and Doggie bags?…and no, I?’m not talking about takeout here people. Yes, you know what I?’m talking about?…Pet Poop. By being aware of what our laws say about regulating the care of pets in this respect; realizing the affects of Canine fecal matter on our neighborhood, our environment and our health; we can actively improve our community.

Everyone knows that dogs can carry parasites. While fresh fecal matter is not a risk, the eggs present in the feces can infect humans of all ages. The two main parasites that transmit to humans are Visceral Larvae Migrans or VLM and Toxocariasis. Although medication is available to treat this, long-term health problems are associated with both diseases. And infection can happen just by playing at the park.

Our environment is another aspect of concern when it comes to fecal contamination. The beauty of our park is tarnished and less enjoyable play area. Can you imagine playing in a park like this or for that matter your own yard? This pollutant also contaminates our water sources with excessive phosphorus, nitrate and E. Coli, negatively impacting our environment. And this in spite of the fact that laws have been passed to control fecal waste.

Many states and city municipalities have various laws and regulations related to dog feces, including ours. In other states, fines have been added and even DNA testing is being touted as the deterrent of the future in Great Britain. It would be easier to just clean up after our pets and avoid such an eventuality.

While we may cringe about cleaning up after our pets, they are our responsibility according to the law. There are many different ways of coping with fecal contamination for pet owners. A wide variety of ?“pooper-scoopers?”, scented doggie bags and hand sanitizers are available. Recycling your newspaper and old grocery bags works too. As long as the waste is tied shut in a bag, it is suitable to throw it away in a park trashcan.

Just remember that preparation and consideration can help to keep our neighborhood beautiful and our environment clean. As human beings, we value good health, well-being and quality of life. By being considerate, taking responsibility and getting involved, we can make our community a better place to live for everyone, including ourselves.


Barking Dogs

By Joseph A. DePinto (Posada)

This is a long standing problem that does not seem to be getting better. I am not talking about siren or helicopter induced barking. This stops by itself. I am talking about neighbors who allow their dogs to bark incessantly which causes other dogs to start barking. If your dog will not stop barking, please bring it in until it settles down. In addition, there is least one neighbor in my area who has two inside dogs and when these dogs are brought out to ''go,'' they bark like crazy. It is not helping that the neighbor is yelling at them to stop barking. It would probably be more helpful to have them go out one at a time.

Lest anyone think that I am not not a dog lover, I have a large shepherd that I have trained not to bark. If I hear one bark, I check it out and bring him in. Let's be considerate of each other. I once called out to have someone stop their dog from barking and I was greeted with an unkindly remark. Real classy.


Welcome Baskets

Did you receive any baskets or ?“containables?” from Christmas or Valentine?’s Day that you would consider DONATING to either the Welcome Basket Program or for our Easter Egg Hunt and Community Picnic? Why not put these to a very good use? Please keep this in mind AFTER Easter also and donate those extra baskets. Becky Chvarak would be most happy to pick them up. Call 838-2993 or email basketsbybecky@hotmail.com


New Business in Neighborhood

For all you naturalists out there ?… this new business is Desert Rain Soap Co. If you are interested in trying all natural skin care products, this is it! These soaps, lotions, skin scrubs, etc. are made from all natural ingredients the old-fashioned way. These products are excellent for anyone with skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or just very dry skin. If you would like to try some or host a party for your friends (hostesses receive a 10% discount and free products for $100 or more in sales), just give me a call. Jane Jones, 480-456-2963 or JBAjones@cybertrails.com.



DISTRICT 3 Pancake Breakfast

This is a FREE breakfast and the second of its kind. The first was great. You all know what kind of reputation our Firemen have as cooks!

So come and meet Dennis Kavanaugh, your District 3 Councilmember Saturday, April 20th from 8-10:30 am. at the Mesa Fire Station 207, 2505 S. Dobson Rd.


Simply Neighbors


by Debbie Driscol
City of Mesa Neighborhood News

I recently saw a billboard sign advertising a housing development. On the billboard was a picture of a house. The caption read ?“What price would you put on knowing your neighbor by name??”. When I read this I started giggling as I thought to myself, ?“If it were only that easy.?”

It sounds so simple. It seems so basic. But by the very nature of this marketing ploy, it is obviously something that is missing from our world today and is apparently so desired that we might be willing to pay money for it. Think about it for a moment. This company believes they can sell a house and make money on our desire to know the names of our neighbors. That tells me how much we really want to get to know our neighbors.

For those of you who do know your neighbors and maybe even have a neighborly relationship beyond just knowing a name, you are aware that this is something that is unavailable for any financial price.

The only way you can get to know your neighbors is to spend time visiting with them. We want it so badly, that this company is banking on it!

If spending time with your neighbors happens arbitrarily, wonderful, take advantage of the unplanned time invested. Better yet, why not make knowing your neighbor a commitment or a priority?

I believe, with all my heart, that the intensity and quality of all of our relationships is directly related to the time we invest in each one of them.

None of us will automatically know our neighbors just because we live beside them or across the street from them.

What a great marketing plan, to sell homes on the premise that if you buy a home in a specific neighborhood, that for the price of that home, you also get ready?—made relationships with your neighbors.

There is no magical way to get to know your neighbors. You can?’t buy it! You can only obtain it by spending time with them. It is simple, but requires time!