This is your GARDEN DISTRICT NEWSLETTER       March 2002

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MIDTOWN MESSAGE

      Service was as much a part of my upbringing as eating breakfast and going to school.   It isn't     something that you do in your spare time.  It was clear that it was the very purpose of life.  In that context, you're not obligated to win.  You're obligated to keep trying,
to keep doing the best you can every day.
Marian Wright Edelman

 FEBRUARY SUMMARY

 The big item on the agenda this month was the election of officers. 
By unanimous acclamation, the following officers will serve Midtown for the next year:

            President:  Brad Holland
            Vice President:  Howard Ward
            Treasurer:  David Kha
            Secretary:  Carolyn Isaman

 Brad Holland introduced Andy Squire who is Carol Clark's replacement in Fred Ronstadt's office.  Anna Marie put him right to the test by inquiring about the re-striping of Pima Street between Columbus and Swan.  Andy reports that that section of Pima Street should be re-striped to one lane in either direction with a center turn lane within the next four to six weeks.

      SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATES

 BIKE CLUB:  David Kha reported that the Bike Club gave away ten bikes this past month!  But his backyard is still quite crowded.  If you or someone you know is in need of a bike, please call David at 323-8278 

 COMPUTER CLUB:  Four week computer training classes are available.  The next class will begin in April.  If you would like to learn computer basics or polish your skills, please contact David at 323-8278.

 HOME REHABILITATION:  Anna Marie Patti reports that six homes in Midtown are being rehabilitated thanks to a $22,000 grant in conjunction with the Tucson Metropolitan Ministries Family Services.   Repairs to roofs, heating and cooling systems, and other household parts will be completed by June.

LEGO CLUB:  The Lego Club was started by a grant and is currently soliciting participation.  They recently had a great demonstration at Toys R Us, with at least 100 people stopping by to admire their projects.  If you haven't seen Legos lately, then you haven't seen Legos!  Two of the clubs members impressed us at the last meeting with motorized projects they had built, some can even draw pictures!

 LIBRARY/LEARNING CENTER:  Andy Squire, our new aide from Fred Ronstadt's office, reports that he is busy getting up to speed on this project.  There have been some delays recently due to some County questions regarding the intergovernmental agreement.

 TIARC: Amra Sabanic, executive director of TIARC, reports that the center provides programs to refugees and neighborhood residents such as; English classes, translator services, driving lessons, and computer classes, to name a few.  The center is open to all residents of Midtown.  Amra reports that there are several neighbors who regularly visit the center to use the computers.

              ANNOUNCEMENTS

JFLOWER ANGEL OF THE MONTH:  This month's Flower Angel is Charlie Beckman.  David Kha nominated Charlie for this month's flower angel because, at 92 years of age, Charlie has been helping to re-type past newsletters so that they can be posted on our website.  He has spent countless hours on this task.  Recently we learned that Charlie has not been feeling well.  We would like to wish him a speedy recovery and hope that the flowers send good cheer.

 WANTED:  ANGEL WATCHERS:   We know that there are a lot of great neighbors out there doing great things.  We want to acknowledge and thank them for doing their part to make Midtown the place to live.   Hal Burn's Flowerland provides a beautiful bouquet of flowers each month to our Flower Angel.  When you spot an Angel on your block, please report it to Carri Rondeau at 795-1478.

 NEXT MEETING