Bike Lights Giveaway - Oct 13 & 15

Bike Lights = Safer Nights Events (10/13 and 10/15, 3:00-5:00 PM)

   On Tuesday the 13th and Thursday the15th from 3:00-5:00 in the afternoon, SHNA and the Ward 6 office will be promoting bike and pedestrian safety by handing out bike light sets along the 3rd Street Bike Blvd. at the corner of Wilson Ave. With the help of volunteers from UAʼs Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, the light sets will be given to passerbys, both cyclists and pedestrians in need of lights for transiting more safely the neighborhood streets as the days grow shorter. 

In response to safety concerns presented to the SHNA Board by a Sam Hughes neighbor, the project is being developed. With October being Pedestrian Safety Month, and with the University being a hot spot for cycling accidents, it is hoped that this project will raise awareness about the dangers posed by "unlit" cyclists and pedestrians. Please stop by during the events to pick up a light set for yourself or a family member in need of better illumination while either walking or cycling!  

"Big Kid Swings" Ribbon Cutting

The Big Kid Swings Ribbon Cutting event at Himmel Park on Saturday Sept 19th was a big success… thanks to the hard work and contributions from so many! The Eegee’s, popcorn and fruit snacks went over big with the group of kids and parents who gathered, and as soon as the ribbon was cut the swinging fun began. We are hopeful that this will fuel continuing efforts to make our neighborhood park a vibrant gathering place for community members of all ages for a wide range of activities. Gratitude to all who donated time and funds to make this happen! 

Leo Katz

SHNA Board Member

Himmel Parkrun starting 8am

Himmel Parkrun is moving to its winter start time of 8am. Parkrun is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!

"Alligator Cracks" in NE Quadrant

The message below was sent via email to Council member Miranda Schubert and her Chief of Staff Kylie Walzak.

As I'm sure you know, the northeast quadrant of the Sam Hughes Neighborhood was resurfaced very recently — about 2 years ago, I think. I am not an expert on street repair, but some of my neighbors have expressed concern about the poor quality of the work. And now the "alligator cracks" seem to be proof of that.

I'm not sure that much can be done now, but I would urge, in the future, for better qualified contractors to be hired. What we are seeing here is a huge waste of public money.

Thank you,

Gayle Hartmann

(Photo taken at 3rd and Stewart)

Sam Hughes Cactus and Plant Sale Fundraiser

What: A wide assortment of cactus, succulents, agaves, aloes, small desert shrubs and house plants. A highlight will be the planters made esp. for the sale by local potters.  

Beneficiary: The Homing Project, which is Tucson's first transitional micro-cabin village, combining transitional housing and social services in a communal setting. The project is located in the northwest part of Midtown. Several SH residents are donors and volunteers.

Time:  October 17 and 18  7am-4pm

Location: 2800 block of 10th St.

Cash, credit card, Zelle

Questions:  617-584-4838 or cactusmommy@gmail.com

Sam Hughes Home and Neighborhood Tour: April 4, 2027

After 10 tours over the past 25 years, the Sam Hughes Home and Neighborhood Tour is gearing up once again to showcase the largest historic neighborhood in the city. Now conducted only once every four years, it is extremely important since it is our only fundraiser.



We have a rich opportunity for our April 4, 2027 self-guided walking tour since there have been many changes in our neighborhood since the last tour: new ventures, esp. along Broadway and Country Club, new amenities to Himmel Park, our nearly-completely new library w/landscaping which we hope to preview, home remodelings and additional dwellings, and --- to honor our 25-year continuous record of tours --- a reprise of some of the most popular venues from the past.

This month our committee of nine will begin soliciting recommendations for homes (historical, remodeled, or new), gardens, apartments, ADU's, artist studios, and other points of interest. Tour participants receive some nice, little perks --- but more than anything, they will know that they have made a very generous time donation to support the neighborhood we all love.

We have been so fortunate in the past: We have never had to pay for advertising, and the two most recent tours have sold out weeks ahead. So please help us keep the ball rolling by submitting questions and nominations (with as much contact info as you have) to samhughestour27@gmail.com.

Streetlights on 6th

As many of you know, the historic streetlights on 6^th Street have had a tough time recently. Several of the globes were knocked askew, and a couple of globes were completely missing.

After several attempts at contacting 311, I finally contacted Sam Credio, Head of the Department of Transportation for the City. His staff took quick action, and the lights were all repaired. Thank You, Sam!

Also, a neighbor noticed a globe in a carport on 6^th Street. I visited the site; no one was home. I left a note saying I hoped that no one at the address had taken the globe, but if they had, I asked them to, Please, not do so again. I left my contact information. And, I took the globe.

I contacted the Dept of Transportation and a staff member picked up the globe from my house. So, all we can do, I guess, is hope the lights are now safe from petty vandalism.

We'll see,



Gayle Hartmann, SHNA President

The alley is clean . . . for now.

The alley south of Speedway between Stewart and Bentley has been the site of a LOT of trash for the last six months or so. And it's been the site of various kinds of nefarious activity. Part of the reason for this is because two businesses on Speedway, the flower shop and a fast-food restaurant, are empty.

We've been in contact with the City and the alley has been cleaned up. Also, Primavera Works will be visiting the alley monthly to see that it stays clean.

At least, we hope that is what will happen.  

Please let us know if that is not the case.

Gayle Hartmann, SHNA President

No longer required to use orange Hefty Bag, no more Styrofoam

While we continue to eagerly await the opening of the By-Fusion recycling facility at Los Reales Sustainability Campus for Hard-to-Recycle Plastics (now tentatively scheduled for Spring 2027) we received an update that the Hefty ReNew program is ending, due to Hefty’s loss of access to alternative recycling markets. As a result, the transition back to a By-Fusion-only processing model will require two main changes to the current program: 

1. Styrofoam containers and packing materials will no longer be accepted. These materials were previously accepted through Hefty Renew but cannot be used by By-Fusion in the production of By-Blocks.
2. Environmental Services will continue to accept eligible hard-to-recycle plastics in orange Hefty Renew bags and will now also accept eligible hard-to-recycle plastics in any clear plastic bags. 

While we hear from many constituents about the confusion and barriers to participating in the Orange Bin Recycling Program due to the many changes over the years, we hope this update resolves at least one barrier: you no longer have to purchase the Hefty orange bags, and they are still usable for the program if you would like to use them up. Please only put clear or Hefty orange bags in the Orange Bins, and continue to recycle your number 1, 2, and 5 plastics in the blue bin recycling.  

From Ward 6 Sept 11, 2026 newsletter

Have your say Oct 2, 3, or 4

The City of Tucson is working to update the Zoning Code to allow temporary, semi-permanent, and permanent shelter housing on most parcels.

PDSD is evaluating changes, such as:

• allowing shelter care in more areas,
• reducing parking and other on-site restrictions,
• simplifying approval processes, and
• permitting safe outdoor sleeping areas under specific circumstances.

No decisions have been made. Community members are encouraged to attend any or all of the sessions below to learn more, ask questions, and share their perspectives. There were two feedback session in September, and the final one is Oct 2, 3, and 4th.

Feedback Session 3

• Where: Park Place Mall Central Exhibit Space, 5870 E. Broadway Blvd
• When:
• Friday, October 2, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
• Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
• RSVP Optional: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/wFU8z4z2hH
• 

Community members unable to attend in person are encouraged to join the virtual session or submit written comments to Amanda.Smith@tucsonaz.gov.

Feedback gathered during these sessions will inform a draft code amendment, which will be available for public review in the fall. The draft will then go to the Planning Commission for a study session and public hearing, after which the Commission will forward a recommendation to the Mayor and Council for consideration.

Thank you to our friends in the Garden District for sharing this information.

Lawsuit Filed

You will recall that this past June 9^th, Mayor and Council held a public hearing to take up the appeals of the Tucson Neighborhood Undergrounding Coalition (TNUC) and also Underground Arizona’s (UA) appeal, regarding the Zoning Examiner’s decision the prior February affecting the construction of above-ground industrial-sized transmission lines to the Vine substation for TEP’s Midtown Reliability Project.

Despite hundreds of e-mails, letters, and compelling testimony from Tucson residents, the City Council supported 100 ft poles in midtown.The City Council voted 4 to 3 to allow the 100 ft poles, ignoring the University Plan and the UDC.

The Undergrounding Coalition and Underground Arizona believe that the case is a prime example to be overturned in court. They interviewed and retained an attorney to investigate and explore next steps that might be feasible. With funds that all of you helped to raise, Carl Sammartino of Sammartino Law Group, PLLC. was retained. He agrees that there is a strong case.

Mr. Sammartino filed a suit on behalf of four clients whose businesses or private properties are directly adjacent to the TEP proposed route where the above-ground transmission lines will be placed. The core of the case, in essence, states that in permitting the overhead construction of the transmission lines, Mayor and Council failed to carry out a series of duties and regulations that it is sworn and legally required to obey.

Taking this case to court to reverse the Mayor and Council’s decision would not have been possible without the support and generosity of so many in the community.

(Excerpted from a recent update by the Tucson Neighborhood Undergrounding Coalition)

Plant swap Oct 10

GDNA Fall Plant Swap

& Give Away

Saturday, October 10

Wright Elementary Playground,

north side, off of Columbus

8 to 9 am

(Just a word of warning:

The Early Bird gets the best selection!)

Start preparing for our Plant Swap on Oct. 10

and stockpile some of your favorite plants to share with others.

A plant swap is where neighbors share plants with neighbors by swapping or simply giving away plants. And, we will have lots of plants to give away! You might share cactus, bulbs, aloe, cereus, spider plant babies, agave, century plants, cuttings from geraniums, pothos, mint, etc.  Also, seeds are wonderful to share at a Plant Swap -- from wildflowers to veggies. All plants are welcome!!

Porch Fest Oct 25

It’s a Celebration!  It’s a Porch Fest!  Sunday, October 25, from 2:30 to 5:30 pm.  Celebrate local musicians, food trucks, and beautiful Fall weather.  Stroll and roll from porch to porch, enjoying Tucson's musical talent and sampling delicious food truck fare in Garden District, our beautiful mid-century neighborhood in the Heart of Tucson.

This event is free, but bring small bills to tip the musicians.  This is their only source of income for the event.  

This free, family-friendly, alcohol free, walk and bike event will be held between Pima and Grant, Alvernon and Columbus.  For more information and a map of porch locations and musicians’ schedule, go to our neighborhood webpage: thegardendistrict.org 

News and notes from our university neighbor

Home football games: 

• Friday, October 2 & Saturday, October 3 - Family Weekend
• Football Game – Kickoff 8:00pm U of A vs. Cincinnati – Wear White!
• Saturday, October 24, time TBA, U of A vs. Iowa State – Wear Red!
• Friday, November 6, 8:15pm, U of A vs. TCU
• Saturday, November 14, time tbd, v. Utah
• Saturday, November 28, time TBD U of A vs. ASU – 100th Territorial Cup

Come by the U of A booth at the upcoming Tucson Meet Yourself festival, October 16-18.

UA Zuckerman College of Public Health Talk About it Tuesdays lecture series. 

• Tuesday, October 20: Medicaid & SNAP Funding Cuts (food insecurity)
• Tuesday, November 17: Sleep Medicine
• Tuesday, December 8: Data Centers
• 
  

Ongoing Exhibits & Tours

Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium

Mysteries of the Cosmos

Sat, May 2, 2026 Thu, Dec 31, 2026

Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab Tours

Sat, Aug 1, 2026 – Wed, Dec 23, 2026

*************************************

U of A Neighborhood Hot line to report concerns regarding U of A: (520) 282-3649

U of A Emergency Alerts: Register for UAlert messages at UAlert Services . You can add your contact information to receive text and email messages. For information regarding Office of Public Safety, including the Campus Incidents Page.

Karen L Sanson, Office of Government & Community Relations

SHNA Monthly Board Meeting

October 19th @ 7pm

Ward 6 Office (3202 E 1st St)

and online (samhughes.org)

SHNA is looking for volunteers

SHNA works on a wide variety of projects.

Newsletter * Himmel Park * Home Tour

Weeding projects throughout the neighborhood * 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.

Emergency: 911

Non-Emergency: 520-791-4444 (Monday to Friday; 8:00 am to 6:00 pm)

Contact for Midtown substation:

Lobby hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

1100 S Alvernon Way, Tucson AZ 85711

Front lobby phone: 520-791-4253

Homeless Outreach Team:

To Report a Homeless Camp, use online reporting tool or call 311.

For crime data in Tucson, visit https://policeanalysis.tucsonaz.gov/