This year the Triangle will continue its tradition of serving needy families during the month of December through our AdoptAFamily outreach effort. As in the past, volunteers from the neighborhood will collect nonperishable food items (i.e., dry staple foods, canned goods, easyprep food mixes) and monetary donations from participating households within the Triangle neighborhood. Our gifts will be delivered to the families on December 16

The food items will be divided equally among the needy families we will be helping this year, and the monetary donations will be used to obtain Kroger gift certificates so that each family can pick up something special and/or essential for themselves.

Food items will be collected on December 9. If you plan to donate, please call to let Mr. Porter know your address. The morning of Dec. 9, leave the food on your porch in brown paper bags and turn your porch light on. Volunteers will pick up the food.

Were you wondering what's going on in the neighborhood? In May, we had two annual events, the 23rd Garage Sale, led once again by Kathy Turner, and the Spring Cleanup, organized by Steve Blatt. The weather cooperated for both days and many of us were able to empty our homes of unneeded things. There were lots of bargains on Garage Sale day and even a few that people scavenged on the day of the Cleanup. Thanks to Kathy and Steve and all of the volunteers that made these events happen.

In June we had a very successful concert at United Theological Seminary. Bob Sammons, our official counter, told me that there were more than 400 people there to hear the great sound of Jazz Patrol. I hope that you were one of them. This year there was a food vendor so that people could enjoy a cold drink or sandwich. We received a grant for $450 for this; the actual cost was $500. If you have ideas or opinions for next year's concert entertainment or food, let your Trustee know.

By the time you read this we will have elected officers for the coming year that happens at the October Trustees Meeting. We may also have elected new Trustees that occurs in November at a General Meeting that is being planned now. We will also have sponsored a Halloween party for the neighborhood's children. You should have received flyers on these events. If you didn't, please let me or your Trustee know.

There is a lot to look forward to in November and December, including caroling and our annual AdoptAFamily. You will receive a reminder to renew your annual membership. That is so important because it helps to pay for mailings, flyers and support for sponsored events. You will also be given the opportunity to contribute once again to AdoptaFamily. Our neighborhood is always extremely generous and, consequently, we are able to brighten the holidays for quite a few families each year. December 18th we will illuminate our neighborhood with sidewalk luminaries (directions are elsewhere in the newsletter) to commemorate the winter holidays and light the way for the carolers who will serenade us that night. I hope that you will participate in the activities that evening it will be a special time for the neighborhood.

The number of volunteers who plan neighborhood activities is small I know there are others who would enjoy giving a few hours to continue the 25 year tradition of the Federation. If you are that person, call your Trustee or me. We would all welcome your ideas or your contribution of time and skill and look forward to getting to know what concerns and pleases you about the neighborhood. If you have email and would like to be added to the neighborhood's email address list, please send your name, address and email address to sandi@donet.com.

Home Tour - Chairperson Ami Bement reports that during the summer it was decided to postpone the Home Tour. Although a half dozen neighbors had agreed to have their homes or gardens on the Tour, we still needed two or three more homes. Bill Patterson volunteered to use his graphic art skills to produce prototype brochure. This will contain pictures of the homes on the tour and could be used to sell ads and to secure further commitments.

Landscaping committee head Steve Blatt, head of the landscaping committee, reported that Kim Hill, who lives close to the Otterbein islands has volunteered to care for them. All the traffic islands were weeded and mulched this summer. The Gazebo was planted and mulched, and then mysteriously remulched. This encouraged the growth of honeysuckle and morning glory vines on the south side. Our volunteers discovered the viney overgrowth in July and attacked it, but it was back in August. This time they dug under the 8 inches of mulch to remove long white spaghetti strands of root system.

The Cornell gateway, flanked by evergreens and roses, often looks sad. At one point this summer, a discarded car muffler was found in it. The landscape committee is looking for someone who lives in that part of the neighborhood to care for the garden at the Cornell Gateway.

The Gateway Light at Cornell and Harvard has been damaged. Trustee Tim Bement is in the process of getting it repaired. Tim suggested that we extend the area of the landscaping to include the light, thereby protecting it from possible mower damage in the future.

Sandi Simmons reported that Paul Woodi and two people from Good Samaritan hospital have been exploring options for this area. Sandi and Teresa Brandt (from the FROC side of Salem Ave.) together walked the stretch of the street and made a working list of needed improvements. They were surprised to discover that what really stands out is not dilapidated buildings, but a lack of landscaping. The committee discovered that there were programs all ready in place that would cover many of the money items, such as facade improvements and landscaping up grades. A $2 million grant is designated for the repairing of Salem Ave. before it is demoted as State Route 49. Good Sam's green space will be landscaped and wrought iron fencing added. The iron fencing will be a motif continuing up from Lower Salem. Special attention will be given to the Salem and Catalpa corner, especially the old BP station site and the Troutman buildings.

Playground equipment grant as a joint project with UTS we applied for grant money to add more playground equipment to the Seminary. Joan Zeiders, Trustee for District 10 (the UTS district), inquired about a grant to help pave one of the Seminary parking lots. Much discussion followed. In the end we did not receive either grant, but the Seminary was able to repave and restripe all but one of their parking lots.

Priority process Mike Dolinski reported that our Priority Need submitted to the Northwest Priority Board was Code Enforcement. Over the summer there were monthly discussions of various problems. The appearance of the Troutman building has come up often. Also the new auto repair shop on Salem (that is still not operational.) Discussion continued concerning trash dumping in alley, and other problem spots. Trustee Catherine Hawkins inquired about the traffic problem on Malvern Ave. She did a petition previously for speed bumps and has heard nothing.

UTS is battling the effects of longterm neglect on its existing buildings. This stately campus with beautiful parkland and elegant architecture needs volunteers to help repaint residence apartments, do electrical work, minor groundskeeping and general cleanup. We need the Seminary as a community anchor. It provides needed green space and is the site for many neighborhood activities.

In its residence halls, there were bathroom lights that still had starter fuses, until a group from Xenia came and rewired them. The kitchens resemble the closet kitchens of NewYork City, with ovens so narrow you can't put a pizza in and sinks only 6 inches deep. And some of the apartments haven't been repainted in so long that grunge is its middle name.

Joan Zeiders is coordinating the restoration efforts, and what she can't find volunteers to help out with, she's doing herself. Contact her at 2787448 to help out. Leave your name and number and tell her when you can come and what you can help with.