AROUND THE BLOCK AROUND THE BLOCK (May 05, 2004)

POETRY & FREE STUFF . . . This Saturday, May 8, the Midtown Shopping Center will host a noontime celebration of its new poetry wall and the grand opening of Como Esta? taqueria. The wall, a project of Palo Alto's Public Art Commission and Midtown Residents Association, features poems by six residents, which were selected by local poet Elizabeth Chapman from numerous entries. Some of the poets will be present to read their winning poems, and a City Council member is expected to unveil a plaque. Also scheduled, the Midtown Shopping Center merchants will sponsor a grab-bag giveaway inside the UPS Store. To get the goodies, people can pick up a mailbox key and retrieve the contents inside the mailbox. A mariachi band will play at 11 a.m. and free nachos and bebidas will be served. The Midtown Residents' Association is co-sponsoring the event.

STILL STANDING . . . Recent incidents of tree-napping notwithstanding, the City of Palo Alto still has tentative plans to put red Japanese maples in Juana Briones park during its renovation this fall. Kate Rooney, project manager for the renovation, noted that she's put Japanese maples in other parks around town and none has been nabbed. The maples will be a tribute to pre-war Japanese-American farmers who lived in the Valley, Rooney said.

PARK MEETINGS . . . Speaking of parks, College Terrace's parks -- Werry, Weisshaar and Cameron -- are scheduled next for renovations by the city. The College Terrace Residents Association board will be meeting this Thursday to discuss when the public meetings could be held to solicit ideas for park improvements. Meanwhile, the public meeting to decide how to develop the last 1.5 acres of Greer Park is now scheduled for May 27 at 7:15 p.m. at Friends Meeting House on Colorado Avenue.

What's up on your block? Let us know what's going on in your neighborhood. Mail us your newsletter, leave a message for Jocelyn Dong at 326-8210 x256, send e-mail to jdong@paweekly.com or fax us at 326-3928.
Japanese Maples
Park upcoming .. . .

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