The passing of a wonderful Sam Hughes neighbor
Dear Neighbors,
We’re noting today the passing, on February 15, of John O’Dowd at the age of 86. He is survived by Claire, his wife of 58 years, and by their four children and fifteen grandchildren. John was born in Tucson and lived in the Sam Hughes neighborhood virtually his entire life, with time out for military service and Yale. He graduated from Sam Hughes Elementary, Mansfeld Junior High, and Tucson High. After graduating from Yale he returned to Tucson to get his law degree from the U of A and went on to practice law here up until his retirement several years ago.
He was dedicated to our neighborhood to an extraordinary degree. He was part of the founding of the Sam Hughes Neighborhood Association in the early 1970’s and served numerous terms as the SHNA’s board president.
Among many accomplishments John was instrumental in expanding the Association to its current boundaries, in securing historical status for the neighborhood, in the preservation of Sam Hughes Elementary School, and in representing the neighborhood in many zoning battles. He advocated for saving the Himmel Park pool and for restoring the historic water tower on Tucson Blvd.
John inspired many neighborhood residents to join him in serving the neighborhood. In recognition of his tireless work on behalf of the neighborhood the SHNA board named him President Emeritus.
John Wilder and Frank Soltys
(former SHNA board members)
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HIMMEL PARK PERIMETER PATH | | |
The results are in!
Thanks to everyone who voted! We had 247 people vote on the color, and 193 people voted on the finish. The winners are . . . San Diego Bluff and Faux Brick.
Check next month's newsletter for updates on the next steps of the Himmel Park Path project.
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Smooth finish
(sorry there isn't a picture!)
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And in further Himmel Park news - Tree planting!
The Friends of Himmel Park are still working with Parks on a tree planting date, focused on replacing dead trees and establishing more shade in the southwest quad of the park. It will most likely be in early April, but watch SHNA listserv and the park kiosks for the exact time and place. We hope to have volunteers to backfill the holes on planting day. Thank you!
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And finally - Dogs!
A new sign has been posted by the city at the Sawtelle end of the park. Please remember that dogs are supposed to be leashed . . . and, please please please, pick up after your dog! Stepping in doggy doo-doo is a sure way to ruin a day. Gross!
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Underground Coalition has a "Halfway Solution" . . . no need to go through a scenic byway!
To read the proposal and rationale, click on the button. below It will take you to the "Halfway Solution" proposal. Yes, we are still advocating for the substation to be moved.
| Map of the "Halfway Solution" | | |
Make your opinion known!
E-mail midtownreliability@tep.com
Call 1-833-523-0887-leave voice mail
Mail a letter to:
TEP Midtown Reliabiltiy, P.O. Box 711 Mail Stop CB200,
Tucson, AZ 85701-0711
| The above map shows the streets TEP are currently considering for the transmission line project. The brown lines represent roads TEP is still considering for running their poles/lines. Importantly for Sam Hughes, Campbell Ave and Tucson Blvd are still under consideration. | | | |
HIMMEL PARK LIBRARY EXPANSION | | |
Have your say by March 15th
The scope of work for this project is to fully renovate the existing library interior, replace the mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems as necessary, and to expand the building by +/- 2,600 square feet to increase the public and staff areas to meet current library and public needs.
We are at the beginning of design, there will be Public Meetings to provide information and obtain feedback. The design process is planned to be completed Fall 2024
As part of the early planning phase of the project, we would like to gather input from library users and community stakeholders. Please share with contacts for the neighborhood associations and any other stakeholder groups you can think of that would be impacted by the project. Pima County values these groups and individuals and would like to get as much feedback as possible to start this exciting project.
This survey will be open from FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16 UNTIL MARCH 15, 2024.
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JAVELINA IN SAM HUGHES - UPDATE | | | |
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An informative meeting was held on Feb 20th addressing the issue of the javelina in Sam Hughes. Check your mailboxes later in the spring, when an informational paper newsletter focussing on javelina and rats will be sent to the neighborhood.
In the meantime, don't forget to add any javelina sightings to the neighborhood map. As of Feb 28th, the map had been viewed 3175 times, but no new javelina sightings have been reported since Feb 5th.
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Neighborhood Map of Javelina Sightings
In order to track the javelina activity, and help residents be aware of the most recent javelina sightings, a neighborhood javelina sightings map has been created. (A big thank you to Meg Johnson and Nancy DeFeo for their work on this!)
If you have an interaction with javelina in Sam Hughes, please click on the link below to report it. To fully assess the situation, it would be good if both peaceful and aggressive interactions are reported. If you have had an aggressive encounter with javelina, please also report to Arizona Game and Fish at 623-236-7201.
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From Steve Kozachik's Feb 5th newsletter
In my meeting last week with Heidi, the city manager’s office and our environmental services director we covered some important ground as an update to the project progress. Most importantly is that the design for the ByFusion building is complete and the construction is starting soon. That’s a key milestone in getting them to Tucson and beginning the full-scale operation locally.
As many of you know we’re not waiting on their arrival to begin using the ByBlocks for local projects this is a picture of the Mission Garden mural wall – and the inset shows how much impact just that one project has had on the environment. They’ll be able to remove the cement board the murals are painted on and add new ones from time to time. Notice also that in partnership with BF we diverted over a ton of marine debris – mixed in with the Tucson plastic in forming the blocks that make up this wall. So, your local efforts are also having a significant impact on the ocean pollution that’s floating around in the Pacific.
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During our meeting we also reviewed the data on how much plastic has been processed over in L.A. by ByFusion – plastic that we’ve sent to them in an effort to manage what we’re collecting while the production building is being built. Last week you topped 8 tons in contributions. That’s great and is a credit to you. Keep it coming. We’re working with BF on ways to enlist some 3rd party partners during this interim period while we’re collecting, but before we have the full production capacity. More on that to come.
One very troubling bit of information we discovered while looking at the data is that the contamination rate is just over 21%. This is an entirely voluntary program. There’s no excuse beyond laziness for much of the contamination we’re finding. It’s lots of food waste – giving the appearance the people are simply dumping their household trash into the plastics bin. Here are a couple of pictures showing what we’re finding:
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If we’re gathering 8 tons of contributions, and 20% of it is contaminants, that’s over 3,000 pounds of waste material that’s being tossed into the orange bins that doesn’t belong there.
While you do not have to wash out your empty food containers before tossing them into the plastics bin, just throwing in your scrap food is not at all in line with what this program is trying to achieve. Throw your trash into your trash can. Not the orange bin.
Early in the pilot phase of this program our contamination rate was excellent. This is not a good trend. Please help us educate others so the program can achieve all of the solid environmental goals we’re hoping it will.
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ARIZONA PUBLIC SCHOOL TAX CREDIT | | |
Consider choosing Sam Hughes Elementary School
Picture this: Sam Hughes Elementary students, immersed in the wonders of an Ecology program, discovering the desert environment and our place in it. Imagine them tending to a desert tortoise, drinking juice fresh from the citrus trees, learning about desert plants and water conservation, and growing their own vegetable garden. These aren't just classes; they're experiences that shape our children's futures. And Ecology is fully funded by your donations.
By contributing to the Arizona Public School Tax Credit by April 15, you can ensure our Ecology program continue to thrive. Just select Gardening Tax Credit when you donate. With the dollar-for-dollar credit on your state taxes, you can make a huge difference to student in our neighborhood at a net cost of ZERO.
Learn how easy it is to contribute here: https://www.samhugheselementary.org/tax-credit
Thank you for your support!
Sam Hughes Elementary PTA
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Books are just the beginning . . .
New! Babytime!
Fridays 2:30 - 3:30pm, starting March 15th.
And don't forget to take the Himmel Library Expansion survey by March 15th!
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LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO
IN SAM HUGHES?
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UA First-Ever Museum Day
University of Arizona Museum of Art
Saturday March 23rd 10am - 4:30pm
Enjoy free admission, snacks and fun activities while checking out the museum’s latest exhibitions, then explore some of the other great participating museums nearby.
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Tucson Festival of Books
March 9th and 10th
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UA Softball
March 15th - 17th vs Washington
March 28th - 30th vs Stanford
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Holsclaw Hall, UA
March 17th @ 3pm
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Read to a Dog
Thursdays @ 4pm
Himmel Park Library
Read to a Dog is designed to allow kids the chance to read to a non-judgmental listener, one who will accept the story exactly as they read it.
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SPRING IS IN THE AIR ... IT'S PLANT TIME! | | |
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GARDEN DISTRICT SPRING PLANT SWAP
SATURDAY, MARCH 30
WRIGHT SCHOOL PLAYGROUND
8 to 9 am
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From Pima County Master Gardeners
If you want to add summer color to your garden, sow annual flower seeds now, or plant out transplants. Most warm-season seeds germinate best in soils that have warmed to at least 60°F or more. Try planting these varieties:
• Black-eyed Susan
• Fleabane
• Gaillardia
• Gloriosa Daisy
• Mexican Sunflower
• Nasturtium
• Primrose
• Sunflower
You can find seeds at one of the Pima County Library branches for free. Check out their website to find out more about their seed library program and what seeds they have available now.
https://www.library.pima.gov/seedlibrary/
Native Seed/SEARCH is also a great resource for seeds that grow well in our arid climate.
https://www.nativeseeds.org/pages/seeds
Check out this helpful publication to learn more about sowing flowers in the low desert. You can find this and other resources on our website: https://extension.arizona.edu/pubs
Flower Planting Guide for the Low Desert (AZ1100a)
Thanks to our friends in the Garden District for sharing this happy plant news!
|  | Thanks to our friends in North Dodge and Cabrini for this helpful guide | | | |
IN LESS WELCOME PLANT NEWS | | |
It's Stinknet Season
From Steve Kozachik's Feb 12th newsletter
One ‘resident’ that’s not so welcome in our neighborhoods is Stinknet. It’s an invasive weed that presents a triple-threat; the weed outcompetes native plants, eventually killing them off; it can cause severe allergic reactions; and it is highly flammable. The eradication is something that will take a community-wide response. You can help by using this link to report where you see the invasive sprouting up – stinknet.org
Now through May is typically when you’ll see the flowers in bloom. You hear a lot about buffelgrass – also an invasive that can choke out native plants. Stinknet is another culprit. To get more information on proper eradication procedures please reach out to Ben Tully at the UA – bentully@arizona.edu.
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BLENMAN ELM HISTORIC HOME TOUR | | |
It's back! April 14th!
After an 8-year pause, the biennial Blenman Elm Historic Home Tour is set to return April 14, 2024.
The neighborhood was established in the early 1900s and is located
directly north of Speedway in between Campbell and Country Club, capped by
Grant. This year’s self-guided tour features historic dwellings and gardens designed by nationally renowned architects, master gardeners and sculptural artists. Homes reimagined with green infrastructure exemplifying the future in sustainable living will also be on display. The home tour is presented by the Blenman Elm Neighborhood Association (BENA) who is raising funds for neighborhood projects
like pocket parks and community artworks and will be donating a portion of the
proceeds to Blenman Elementary School.
Whether you're an avid gardener or simply appreciate aesthetic design, this tour is sure to delight! Tickets available now! For more information, follow us on Instagram or visit our website.
Date: April 14, 2024
Time: 11:30AM- 4:30PM
Tour check-in: 1650 North Bentley Avenue, Tucson 85716
Tickets: $30/person online or in-person the day of the event
Ticket Link: https://BEhometour24.eventbrite.com
For questions please email: benahometour@hotmail.com
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UArizona Neighborhood Hotline
If at any point your peace is disturbed, report neighborhood loud party/unruly gathering complaints to 911. You may also call the UArizona Neighborhood Hotline at 520-282-3649. A team from the University’s Community Relations office and TPD’s Red Tag unit can visit problematic properties to educate students about the City’s Unruly Gathering Ordinance and UArizona’s consequences for violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
Red Cross Blood Drive - March 21st
"Your neighborhood is invited to join the University of Arizona in a vital Red Cross blood drive on March 21, 2024, at the North Ballroom in the Student Union Memorial Center. Be a key contributor to our community's well-being—schedule your blood donation today and help us make a powerful impact together."
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Fourth Avenue
Spring Street Fair
March 22nd - 24th
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St Patrick's Day
Festival of Tucson
March 17th
Parade @ 10:30am
Festival 11am - 5pm
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Family Funday:
Science in Archaeology and History
Come join us for a series of hands-on activities that will teach how archaeologists and historians use science to understand history. Activities will focus on things such as dendrochronology (tree-ring dating) and c-14 dating (carbon-14 dating).
Fort Lowell Museum
March 23rd @ 10am - 1pm
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Sculpture Tucson Festival
March 15th - 17th
Brandi Fenton Memorial Park
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HIGH SCHOOL BATTLE OF THE BANDS | | |
Apply by March 15th
Tucson Parks and Recreation is teaming up with Best Life Presents, the Arizona Daily Star, KXCI, Cloud Microphones, and Groundworks to host the second annual Battle of the Bands. Bands with artists between the ages of 13-18 years old can apply now (link below) for a chance to compete. All genres are welcome. Grand prize winners will record an album and receive promotion from Best Life Presents. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 15. The event will be held Sunday, April 7, at noon, at Gene C. Reid Park’s DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center.
Battle of the Bands information and application
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LOOKING FOR A SUMMER JOB? | | |
Parks and Rec is hiring
Tucson Parks and Recreation is hiring part-time workers for summer jobs. The department is looking for fun and energetic recreation workers to help out with its summer KIDCO program for youth ages 5-11 years old. You must be at least 16- years old to apply. The City is also hiring lifeguards to open summer pools. The minimum age to be a lifeguard is 15 years old. Pay starts at $16.75 per hour. The City will pay applicants to get their Lifeguard Certification through the City’s certification path. The lifeguard class is an intense, fast-paced course, and strong swim skills are required. All applicants must pass a swim test to qualify. Learn more, and apply online by following the links below.
Apply for jobs
KIDCO information
Lifeguard information
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NEWS FROM YOUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES | | |
WARD 6 Council Member Steve Kozachik
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DISTRICT 5 Supervisor Adelita S. Grijalva
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SHNA Monthly Board Meeting
March 19th @ 7pm.
Ward 6 office (3202 E 1st St)
and on Zoom
(Zoom link posted on samhughes.org)
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SHNA is looking for volunteers
SHNA works on a wide variety of projects.
Newsletter * Himmel Park * Home Tour
Transportation and Mobility * Water Tower * Board of Directors
Please contact us at info@samhughes.org to volunteer, or if you would like to pursue something new with SHNA’s support.
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This month's pick up dates
March 4th, 18th
What can I recycle?
CLICK HERE to read what can/cannot be recycled.
And remember:
* No glass in the blue recycle containers!
* Ward 6 accepts non-recyclable plastic and glass for recycle / reuse at their office.
REQUEST A FREE REPLACEMENT TRASH OR RECYCLING BIN
Does not matter if it was stolen or is damaged- you can quickly and easily request a new trash or recycling can from Environmental Services at no charge. Either use the Recycling Coach app or call ES Customer Service at 520-791-3171 or contact ES online.
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Next pick up:
the week of July 7th, 2024
Need a pick up now?
You can schedule a special pickup by calling 520.791.3171 or emailing ESHelp@tucsonAZ.gov.
$55 for up to 10 cubic yards.
Questions? Click here.
| Hazardous Waste Collection Events | | | |
NEIGHBORHOOD AND CITY RESOURCES | | |
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What is a code violation? And whom do I call?
Click here to learn more.
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Shopping Carts
If you see a shopping cart off store property, abandoned along the street, or sitting in a wash, call the City of Tucson's Environmental Services (ES) department to have it removed. You can call Customer Service at (520) 791-3171.
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24/7 Resource Line for the Unsheltered
The resource line is useful for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness to get connected to resources for medical, mental health, meals, outreach, and other resources offered in our community.
Call (520) 791-2540.
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Report Transportation Concerns: Is there a pothole you'd like to see fixed? Is a street sign missing? Is a tree limb hanging too close over a roadway or sidewalk? You can report these issues to the Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT), (520) 791-3154, or email the exact location to
tdotsr@tucsonaz.gov
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Red Tag Reporting
1) Loud party calls should go to 911.
2) Additionally, if student-related, contact the UA Neighborhood Hotline to report concerns at 520-282-3649.
For the red tag info sheet - CLICK HERE
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P.O. Box 42931
Tucson, AZ 85733
www.samhughes.org
info@samhughes.org
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