Marlborough Mesa

OCTOBER 2003

Sep 27, 2003

OCTOBER 2003


Neighborhood Website Address:
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/mesa/marlborough
For info concerning this newsletter, please contact the editors/publishers: Jim and Alma Jones 1031 W. Posada
jnajones@cybertrails.com/ 480-831-1525 or 602-321-1139
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MARLBOROUGH MESA NEIGHBORS MEETING WITH CRUCIAL CITY DEPARTMENTS

By Linda Murphy

Too many cars? Loud parties? Unsightly landscaping? Do you want to know how this affects our MM Neighborhood and WHO to contact about it?

The answer to these and many more questions will be available at a meeting with crucial city departments at our PARK at Wycliff and Peralta.

The meeting will be at 7:00 pm on Friday October 10th. See agenda below for more information.


Mesa Police/Dobson Ranch Substation

ATTENDEES: Commander Sandy Driscoll, Neighborhood Patrol Officer

TOPICS: Top five issues the police are dealing w/in our neighborhood ... How are the police handling these issues? ... How can MM residents help? QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS


Mesa Police Dobson CAT Team

ATTENDEE: CAT Officer
TOPICS: How does a CAT Officer interact with our neighborhood? Current issues being addressed. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS


Code Compliance

ATTENDEE: Amelia Alvarado
TOPICS: Top five violations being called on. Code Compliance violation process. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS


Neighborhood Outreach

ATTENDEE: Debbie Driscol
TOPICS: How does Neighborhood Outreach interact with our neighborhood? Current issues being addressed. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Also in attendance will be District 3, Councilmen Dennis Kavanaugh.



DISTRICT 3
PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Please come and join Vice-Mayor Dennis Kavanaugh for breakfast. He will host the breakfast and the fire fighters will cook it. Bring the whole family for pancakes, bacon and eggs. Saturday, October 11 from 8-10:30 AM at Fire Station 204, 1426 S. Extension.

The little ones are always fascinated with the fire engines, thereby giving you a perfect time to get answers on your questions about what's happening in Mesa. No waiting for returned calls or emails ?– immediate answers.



ANNUAL TOY DRIVE AND PARTY

By Sandra Fischer

Once again we reach that time of year when we start planning all those holiday parties. For Marlborough Mesa, that means our Annual Toy Drive to benefit the East Valley Child Crisis Center.

Come join in the party and bring an unwrapped toy to contribute to the children at the center. They must be unwrapped for safety reasons ?– so you can save on wrapping paper! Our committee is already fast at work on the plans and we are excited to fill you in on the details. We have already talked to Santa, who will be there for pictures with the kids and to find out what they want for Christmas.

The important stuff:
DATE: Saturday, December 13, 2003
TIME: 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
PLACE: The park at Wycliff and Peralta
THEME: Marlborough Mesa Reaches out with Care

Planning Committee Members: Sandra Fischer, Sandy Scully, Ellen Bretzke and Velda Burton.

Please mark your calendars now and meet us at the park for food and fun. We work to increase our attendance each year, so we will continue to inform you about the plans for the party. There will be subs (provided through our neighborhood funds), drinks, chips and cake, so please come hungry.

We will need many volunteers and donations. To date, we need a cleaning crew for both before and after the party, others to help with the decorations, someone to man the grill and food tables, hot dogs, hamburgers, buns, condiments, soda, water, and snack chips. If you can assist us with any of these needs, please contact either Sandra Fischer (820-2773) or Sandy Scully (345-9823).



CLEAN SWEEP STATUS

The Clean Sweep Budget was in fact cut in half by city budgets. These are the changes you will see. Dumpsters will only be set and picked up 4 days per week by the drivers rather than 6 days per week.

Here in Marlborough Mesa, our dumpsters will be set on Tuesdays or Fridays only. If they are set on Tuesday, they will be picked up on Friday. If they are set on Friday, then they will be picked up the following Tuesday.

Solid Waste has made a great effort to still provide service even with budget cuts.

Marlborough Mesa is scheduled for 1 time per year (not 2 as we have done in the past) and the month they have given us is FEBRUARY. Kristine Malcolm, our Clean Sweep Coordinator is working with this and will let you know what days we have when the time comes closer.



RESOURCE BOOKLET - WHERE TO GO TO GET WHAT YOU NEED

A new resource booklet from the City of Mesa is enclosed in the packet with this newsletter.

Resources information and numbers include Clean Sweep/Green Sweep, Tool Lending, Special Projects, Shopping Cart Collection, Graffiti Removal, Neighborhood Watch, Speed and Traffic Resources, Housing Rehabilitation Programs, Low Water Landscaping, Peaceful Dispute Resolution, PRIDE Grants, Training for Neighborhood Leaders and HOA?’s, Neighborhood Planning, Commonly used Social Services, and a one page guide of many useful services.



REMEMBER THE TROOPS

By Sandra Fischer

The major part of the war in Iraq has been over for a few months now. Many troops have come home, but many more are still there. Word on how those troops are doing is no longer front-page news. For all those service men and women, we must remember they still need to know we care. This is an easy task for those who, like myself, still have friends or family in the Middle East. For those who do not, I ask that you continue to pray for the safety of our troops. Further, if you can keep in touch with anyone in the military, it would be a great kindness to them. If you need a name and address of someone to keep in touch with, just contact any military base and they could provide you with that information.

If you wonder whether your thoughts and prayers for our service men and women mean anything, I can tell you it means a great deal. My cousin, Keith Hare, has now sent me two letters talking about what it is like where he is stationed. He said "it's really nice to have people back in the world remember and think about us over here." He also told me "Some days we fly
alot - other days just sit. I'd rather sit because if we're flying alot - soldiers/marines are getting hurt or killed." There is still a danger to our military personnel still in Iraq and Kuwait. We must remember and we must show our support.

The correspondence between you and the military person you keep in contact with can be fun and informative. When Keith told me that the temps there averaged in the high 120's to low 130's, suddenly our 105 - 115 degree days seemed cool!! When he talked about his quarters, I realized how much we take for granted. Keith said "I sleep on a real bed with real sheets!! The shower works all the time and the food is pretty good." Simple things, but they mean a lot.

With Veteran's Day, just around the corner, this is a good time to remember
and salute our troops. Let's pray they all return home safe and sound to their families.



NEW CODE COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT FEATURE

The City of Mesa Code Compliance Division is getting ready to implement a new web-based function that will allow citizens to access the status of a code complaint case from the city's website. It is presently in the testing stages.

This function will allow citizens to access this information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without having to use the telephone.

Stay tuned ?…



LIGHT RAIL IS COMING TO MESA!

A few years ago, voters in Maricopa County passed a transit tax to fund a light rail project to connect the cities throughout the valley. Well, it is almost here.

In Mesa, the Light Rail will run down Main Street from our West City limit to Longmore. The station location will be at the Old Tri-City Mall. Relocation of non-essential utilities have already begun.

Included in the packet you received with this newsletter is a Valley Metro Rail brochure depicting the route, the look of the vehicle itself and some generally good Light Rail information like schedule, hours of operation and the currently planned routes that will connect you with other cities as well as Sky Harbor International Airport. For further information look at www.valleymetro.org.

Should you want to know more, you can come, learn and ask your questions to the City of Mesa and Valley Metro Rail. You are invited to a neighborhood meeting to provide input on proposed plans for the Valley's new transit system. They are prepared to make changes based on YOUR input. The meeting is scheduled for:

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003 - 6 to 8 p.m.
(1/2 Hour Formal Presentation at 6:30 p.m.)
Multipurpose Auditorium
Webster Elementary School
202 N. Sycamore

The meeting will be held in an open-house format, where you will have an opportunity to meet and speak with the planners, engineers and architects who are designing the light rail system. You'll also have the opportunity to meet the artist developing the artwork for the light rail station serving your neighborhood.



NEW DIRECTORY OF SERVICES & BUSINESSES 2004 IS NOW ONLINE & PRINTED

Our Directory of Services in Marlborough Mesa is now online and is in the packet that was placed on your doorstep in October.

Please look to your ?“neighbors?” within that book to find what you need ?– it is growing every year. Keep it next to your ?“other?” directories.

Also, be thinking about next year?’s directory if you have not been included in this one.

For the online version, check the website at: www.neighborhoodlink.com/mesa/marlborough

* Also: For the Directory Project in 2005 we NEED a responsible, dependable, reliable and conscientious individual who is very familiar with Word (or the program of your choice).

You obviously would have many contacts to begin with from past directories ?– AND ?– residents would email you with any changes or additions throughout the year.

I have done it the last 2 times and simply have more ?“neighborhood?” projects than I have time. If you can help, please contact Alma Jones at 480-831-1525 or jnajones@cybertrails.com.



TREASURER'S REPORT

By Kristine Malcolm

As of 9/21/03, the amount in the account is $2,617.47 in our neighborhood funds.



JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

The neighborhood has received a few more COMPUTERS that will go to some lucky homeowners in Marlborough Mesa.

Paul Simpson is working diligently to have those FREE computers ready in time for Christmas Presents.

Three criteria that must be met are:
?· You must be a MM homeowner
?· You do not already have a computer
?· You are willing to get internet access, including e-mail.

Please drop off your name, address and phone number at Jim and Alma Jones?’ home at 1031 W. Posada OR Sandy and Michael Scully?’s at 2810 S. Emerson by November 30.

There will be a drawing on Luminaries Night on Spruce and Posada with Paul Simpson drawing the lucky winners ?– AND ?– you do not even have to be present to win ?– although it would be extra nice.

* If there are any other volunteers who are capable and willing to fix these computers as we get them in, please contact the Jones?’ at 831-1525.



CALLING AMBASSADORS FOR YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD ...

We need you ?… as Ambassadors in welcoming our newcomers to MM. The streets most needed are Mollera, Obispo, Portobello and Peralta.

This involves so little of your time. Pick up a Welcome Basket when you see a new neighbor moving in. Take it to them ?… visit a little ?… leave them your business card (which is provided)?… and get their email and phone number.

So, you?’ve never done it before? Neither have most of us. But it is a good way to break the ice and get to know who is living on your street.



MARS TELESCOPE NIGHT IN MM

By Kelly Wendel

Marlborough Mesa and the Mars may be a few million miles apart, but MM residents got a little closer to the red planet, as well as each other, during a recent neighborhood gathering.

Jim and Alma Jones let neighbors take a peek at Mars through their large telescope on Sept. 16, when Mars was a mere 34 million miles away.

?“It?’s pretty neat seeing it, though tracking it is hard,?” Jim Jones said. ?“We wanted to put a higher magnification lens on the telescope, but trying to keep it in sight made that difficult. We ended up going with a lower magnification lens just to make it easier.?”

Dozens of residents showed up at the event, which also doubled as a neighborhood block watch event. Even Mesa Vice Mayor Dennis Kavanaugh was there, enjoying food and snacks with MM residents.

?“Marlborough Mesa is one of the best neighborhoods in the city,?” Kavanaugh said. ?“If you ask anyone in the city, whether it be the police department, the fire department or community services, they will tell that hands down, MM is a great neighborhood.?”



HELP!

By Mary Kleinhans

We are encountering problems with several streets in regard to the timely delivery of our monthly NEWSLETTERS. If this continues, perhaps we should revisit the issue and go online only.

If for any reason you cannot deliver the newsletters any longer, PLEASE be considerate and call or email me at 480-560-9662 / mmczkfamily@cableaz.com.

We are in need of Newsletter Helpers to deliver the following streets: (If no one comes forward to help deliver, your newsletter will be accessed strictly online.)

Osage ?– 22 homes
Obispo & Spruce ?– 27 homes
(1100 blk) (2900 blk)
Plata & Wycliff Circle ?– 19 homes
(1000-1100 blk)
Plata (800-900 blk) ?– 35 homes
Obispo (800-900 blk) ?– 33 homes

Serious Inquiries Only


CYCLING AND RUNNING FOR AMERICA (cont?’d)
By Syna Daudfar ?–
(a student in Marlborough)

(Editor?’s note: Syna has been following Reza all across the USA.)
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He made it! After 46,000 miles of cycling and 3,700 miles of running, Reza Baluchi brought his seven-year global peace mission for peace to an end on Sept. 11, 2003 when he ran to Ground Zero in NYC and placed a bouquet of flowers at the memorial wall just off Church Street.

?“I so happy.?” he said, tears streaming down his face, ?“I finish my journey.?”

Crossing the George Washington Bridge put Reza out on 178th Street then to Broadway and down a street he?’d never seen and would never forget. Many recognized Reza from his picture in the New York Times the day before, and honked their horns as a show of support.

As he reached Ground Zero there was a New York City policeman standing guard at the entrance to the memorial area. The officer recognized Reza. ?“You?’re the guy from Iran.?” he says, ?“Let him through!?”

With his hands trembling while the names of victims were heard being read over the public address system he wedged his bouquet of flowers between the metal bars of the fence that surrounds Ground Zero and took a moment, on behalf of all Iranians, to mourn the loss of all who died that tragic day two years ago.

His seven-year global peace mission was finally coming to an end but not before he would do one last thing ?– donate the bike he rode 46,000 miles around the world to the NYFD!



NOT GETTING ANY NEIGHBORHOOD MESSAGES?

If we do NOT have your email ?– or it is not CURRENT, please send it to Sandy or Alma.

Sandy Scully sscully@peoplepc.com / 345-9823
Alma Jones jnajones@cybertrails.com / 831-1525

By doing so, you receive updated information about what is happening in our neighborhood. Your emails are always kept confidential.



SPIRIT OF MESA NEIGHBORHOOD AWARDS AND CONFERENCE

Awards will be announced in early December of 2003. The presentation will be held during the 3rd Annual City of Mesa Neighborhood Conference, Working Together: Growing Great Neighborhoods.
The conference will be held on Saturday, January 31, at the Mesa Centennial Center.

For the last 2 months, all neighbors have had the opportunity to nominate any person in Marlborough Mesa who has volunteered for any project, program, event or activity for the time period between June 30, 2002 and September 30, 2003.

Make plans to come to the conference. For more information or to register, please call 480-644-5700.



WATER - USE IT WISELY CAMPAIGN

The City of Mesa and other utilities across Arizona are teaming up with Home Depot, SRP and News Channel 3.

A series of free workshops will be offered at Home Depot each weekend in September. Classes will highlight a different area in the home or garden and offer water saving techniques and tips.

Dave Owens, the Garden Guy from News Channel 3 will be present at various locations throughout the valley. Classes include: Adjusting a Leaky Lifestyle; Repair, Replace & Retrofit; Irrigation 101; and Plant Now for the Future. Call your nearest Home Depot for dates and times.



NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES

Ellen Bretzke will be the new Newsletter Distributor on Emerson. Ellen has also served on the Christmas and Easter events committees. She is a nurse at Desert Samaritan Banner Health Hospital. Ellen and husband, Lance have an active 18-month-old son named Michael.



MM CLASSIFIEDS

Please remember that Sheri Powers handles the CLASSIFIEDS online on our website at:
www.neighborhoodlink.com/marlborough/mesa/

If you are interested in placing an ad there, send it to Sheri at slp@azlawfirm.com.

Be sure to give the description, price, your phone number and email. ALSO please REMEMBER to email Sheri once your articles have been SOLD so she can remove them.

AND ?– remember not only to PLACE those ads ?– but to look there for PURCHASING as well.
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Yontu's Locks and Safes, 480-226-0348 Doug White, 860 W. Posada, Mesa, AZ

**Housecleaning Service**
one time*weekly*bimonthly*monthly
Call Kathy Larsen 480-831-5103

FOR SALE 93 Isuzu Trooper LS good shape, new tires and tags 160,000 miles $4,500.00 OBO (under blue-book) 480.491.1642 or 480.540.9188
HOUSE FOR RENT at 2902 S. Mollera November 1. 1 year or more lease. 3 Bedroom, 2 bath, family room, dining room, newly painted and landscaped. Tile in hallways, kitchen and baths. Contact Jim or Alma Jones for details at 480-831-1525 OR Linda at 602-750-2630 for details and showing. Rent negotiable if background checks, credit and references are excellent.

3130 S. Spruce is being spruced up for sale and if anyone is interested or has a friend that might want to purchase, please contact Linda Dural at 480-632-1280 for details.

FOR SALE: Conference Table with Six Padded Chairs, $500.00 for all. Email: inlcc@yahoo.com or Phone: 480-839-4244.

OAK queen headboard,gently used, $20.00, 820-0620 anne or danny.

1999 Mercury Mountaineer AWD, 5.0 liter/8 cyl., 49,000 miles, fully loaded Monterey package. Leather upholstery, premium stereo system with steering wheel controls, keyless entry, auto climate control, running boards, chrome wheels, auto headlights and dimming rearview mirror, plus much more. Mint condition. $14,899 OBO. Days: 602-576-4833 Eves: 480-456-1522 or djones@phx1.bcbsaz.com

Buy Lovely Mesa Home With Zero Down" Even if You Can Afford To Pay Cash!! 1-800-694-4836 Free 24 Hour Message

Ron Portnoy Ph.D, 1033 W. Pecos 480 839-3472 (after 12). Licensed Psychologist. Certified School Psychologist. Evaluation and Consultation for Developmental Disabilities, Mental Retardation, Learning Disabilities, Emotional Disabilities, Special Education,Eligibility Determinations, Manifestation Determinations (School Suspensions), IEP's.
SELLING ?– 3 Tanning beds. Work great. I own Sunburst Tanning and More and am upgrading. Shop address is 1731 W. Baseline Rd. #105, phone 480-838-4646. You may also call my home at 480-897-6065. Ask for Bonnie Peterson.

Gemeinhardt Flute $325 OBO Karen 839-8006

FOR SALE: King size comforter w/pillow shams, pale pastel colors/beige background, beautiful set. Excellent condition. Paid $200 ?– sacrifice for $40.

1999 Honda Accord EX, 12,500 OBO. Dark Blue, Automatic, Moonroof, Leather seats, Wood Trim, CD, CC, Power windows/doors. If interested call 480-756-0193.

Wedding ring set: groom's white gold ring & gold solitaire. $150.00 OBO. Call Jane 456-2963.

King bedroom set: headboard, mattress set, 2 nightstands, dresser w/mirrors and armoire. Asking $350.00 OBO. Call Jane 456-2963.

1993 REINELL 17.5 I/0 stern drive 205 hp
4.3 L V/6 Mercruiser. Low hours -319,-55MPH AM/ FM/ Cassette. 8,500.00 ( best offer) with many extras: 1 bimini cover, 8 vests, 1 flag, 2 oars, 2 boat covers, 1 anchor, 1 single tube, 3 skies, 1 double tube, 2 ropes, 1 knee board, 3 new tires, 1 wake board. Steve@480-491-6606

FREE GYMNASTIC CLASS for Marlborough children ages 4 & Up. Also, ballet & tap classes, as well as kid fitness classes (ages 3 & up) are offered. I am still accepting students for the Fall program that continues through May 2004.
We are now in our new studio in Mesa! Call Carol Strongoli for location, times & days at (480) 777-1033 or MsCarolsGymkids@aol.com