MIDTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
September 1996
Message from the President
Once again let me tell you how wonderful it is to have so many of you joining us at our monthly meetings! We have a lot of exciting things going on, including tentative plans for a Halloween block party at John B. Wright which will include a costume parade for the kids (or any gown-up who is interested) and another chance for you to meet your neighbors. And still to come will be our park dedication in the near future. Your support is the key to all of our activities – you are great!
A Neighborhood Block Party? Are you Serious?
Of course she is. Martha Cooper never tells a lie. We want to get the kids involved in planning it—little kids and big ones. Right now it can be anything. Booths, music, food, a parade, costume contests, bobbing for applies…Come to the September meeting and help us decide!
Oh, and by the Way Starting in September…
We have a new meeting place, and it’s easier to find! From now on, our monthly meetings will be in the Cafeteria of Wright School at the corner of Columbus and Linden (2 blocks north of Pima). For info call Kari, 795-5795.
Angel of the Month…
Goes to the scores of anonymous angels who phoned in and wrote letters to the Mayor & Council hotline last month protesting the widening of Pima Street. You know who you are! It worked! The City is reconsidering the plan and will be asking for more feedback in the future. (Secret Angel to Rosary Cherek for casting the deciding vote! We’re now at 60% petition signatures!) Angel Sighting by Teena Hayden—angel disguised as an Elderly Gentleman seen raking an intersection on Sycamore clear of gravel so that cars don’t skid. Angel Sighting by Carri Rondeau who, during an evening walk, was invited into the front yard of an anonymous angel disguised as an Earth Mama in order to admire the Night Blooming Cereus (what a treat!) Angel Sighting by Kari Garcia when Carri Rondeau, in an inspirational moment, volunteered to take charge of last month’s newsletter mailing. All went smoothly. The mailing party was a blast. Topics of discussion included fractals, Tupperware, and the meaning of life. Carri, Kari thanks you, her dogs thank you, her cat thanks you, her bird thanks you. Halo of Honor goes to Tammi Moritz for her valiant 3-month long organizing attempt at getting speed humps on Justin. Everyone signed the petition—no one signed the checks. C’mon you guys! Well, that’s okay, Tammi. In the hallowed halls of halo-dom the only thing that counts is doing the footwork—and you did! To make an angel report call 323-5049.
Speaking of Angels…
Midtown is home to the full-time angels at the Center for Women and Children which runs shelters in Tucson for women and children trying to escape the cycle of domestic abuse. The administrative offices are at 3959 E. Speedway, Suite 309. Donations accepted here from 9-4:30, Mon-Fri, for the monthly fundraising rummage sale (held the 3rd Saturday of every month). Also, volunteers always needed. For info call Julie at 795-8001.
If you Like to Work with Kids but don’t have Lots of Time…
Call Kathi Finfrock, the community liaison at Wright School. The nationally recognized "OASIS" program matches adult tutors with K-3 children. For one hour a week tutors and students meet one-on-one during school to read, write, and share experiences. Martha Cooper’s done it and says it’s great! Also, TUSD’s "Parents on Patrol" trains parent/grandparent volunteers to monitor the Wright School playground mornings and afternoons to ensure the safety of our children. For info call Kathi at 318-2290.
Did you Know that over 50% of Tucson’s Population Rents?
It’s hard to get to know your neighbors when they’re on a short-term lease. Solution? Give renters a chance to become homeowners in the neighborhood. How? Come to the September 17 meeting to hear Terry Gallagher describe the Tucson Metropolitan Ministry’s Midtown First-Time Home Buyer Program which is making money available to eligible families for downpayment/closing costs on a new home. He needs your help in finding a few good neighbors…good people who may be your friends, or co-workers, or neighbors...who would like to own a home but can’t afford the initial costs and don’t have a rich uncle to front the money. For info call 322-9557.
Tired of Reading Cereal Boxes?
So are we. So we’ve decided to expand the newsletter. We want to set up a format that will make this a neighborhood newsletter worthy of breakfast browsing. Ideas: "Meet your Neighbor" interviews with Midtown residents, "Neighbor to Neighbor," a comment page for you to submit your gripes, hopes, vision, and opinions concerning life in this neighborhood. Any other ideas? Come to the September 17 meeting to help create the new format! Questions: 323-5049.
2000 Trees by 2001…
Dream or reality? It’s up to you. October 19 is our planting day for street trees and our delivery day for yard trees. The yard tree order form is enclosed. Fill out and return the application before October 1, 1996. For questions about tree species call 323-5049. It’s not too late to organize a street tree planting in front of your house. Get four immediate neighbors to take trees along with yourself, and you qualify. We’ll do the rest, from hiring a backhoe, to getting digging permits. Call 323-5049 to find out about planting street trees.
Boring Stuff
Basketball fans—NAU has a secret weapon that you are hearing for the first time in this newsletter. Their hometown calls the shots in your hometown. Why? Because the State Legislature is in Phoenix, not Tucson, and because city and county laws are controlled by the State. We abide by over 1400 statutes that control everything Pima County does from public health to building roads to zoning to flood control. The Board of Supervisors only has the authority to implement state laws, and local voters have no direct say in the process at all. If Pima County had a Charter, all that would change. Elections for the County Charter Government Committee are coming uop in November. These folks will write a Charter for Pima County. With the right Charter we could have a lot more sayso; with the wrong Charter, the big boys in Phoenix will keep on calling the shots. Pay attention. This is an obscure election with a very big impact on our future. If you have any questions on the County Charter election, call Tres English at 881-8712.
What’s your Vision?
John Burroughs said, "Do not despise your place and hour. Every place is under the stars. Every place is the center of the world." If the square mile between Grant/Speedway & Alvernon/Swan were the center of the world for you—how would you make it yours? Vision it.