Be Cautious Around Javalina
A resident living in a nearby neighborhood reported that her dog was attacked by 3 Javelina the evening of Feb 19. She was exiting her property when her 100 pound American Bulldog startled a Javelina on the street. At first, it huffed at the dog, but then attacked and two more javelina charged out. The dog defended itself and the owner threw a rock then screamed until the Javelina scattered. The dog required a Vet visit because it had a laceration. He is on an antibiotic, but did not need stitches or staples and is home recovering.
Javelinas have poor eyesight, but an excellent sense of smell. Coyotes are their main predator and they cannot distinguish between dogs and coyotes. Javelinas react to dogs the same way they do with coyotes. Since they are herd animals, if they feel threatened they scatter and explode outwards in all directions, to address the threat and confuse the predator. There are more javelina attacks on dogs than humans, but most human injuries occur while the owner is trying to protect their dog during an attack.
Always walk your dog on a leash and if possible keep your dog from barking or acting aggressively towards the Javelina. A barking dog is perceived as a threat to the herd. Be alert when you open your door and as you walk the streets, especially at sunset or sunrise when Javelina are most active. It is easy to not notice them browsing in a yard. Javelina are not solitary. If you see one javelina, there are probably more.
If you see a Javelina, immediately turn your dog around and walk away in a different direction. If attacked, you can try to scare them away by screaming, making loud noises, throwing small rocks, using Pet Corrector Spray or a small airhorn, or spraying with wasp spray or mace. Javelina do not like the smell of ammonia so you can carry a bottle of water with diluted household ammonia (1 part ammonia, and 9 parts water). The odor of the ammonia and the nasal irritation it causes will encourage the Javelina to leave. Avoid spraying the ammonia water into its eyes because it may cause damage.
Javelina live in our neighborhoods because they have food, water and shelter. NEVER purposefully feed Javelina. This can cause them to become regular visitors and lose their fear of people, creating problems for the neighborhood and often leading to the death of the Javelina. Fallen birdseed, cat or dog food, table scraps and garbage also attract Javelina. (Thanks to Garden District NA for this text.)
Donate your citrus to the Iskashitaa Refugee Network!
using this link: https://www.iskashitaa.org/donate-your-fruit
Also, Community Food Bank is accepting fruit dropped off on Saturday, March 25, 11am – 2pm at the Fry’s Stores at 2001 E. Irvington and 7050 E. 22nd Street. Visit https://www.communityfoodbank.org/citrus for more information!
Alvernon Park Improvements
3/6/23 Owen Long: “Sorry for the extended design process here, as we went from a simple walking path to a more major Storm-water improvement and Park Expansion plan. We now have the Abandonment of the adjacent portion of Montezuma Ave. in place. The final iteration of the Park Improvement plan is near completion. Final Storm water Calculations are being analyzed by the Pima County Storm water Dept.
The Tucson Parks and Recreation Dept. has been responsible for the design portion of our contract, and Pima County will be bidding and doing the actual construction. I anticipate we will have a preliminary schedule in place in the next 2-3 weeks. I appreciate your understanding and communicating our situation with the community, as there have been many entities involved. The result will be a much improved and expanded park and trail. Thanks much! [3-7-23] We are coordinating the work with Pima County and we will bring up signage at our next meeting. We will also get the defined survey for the land abandonment from the COT Dept. of Transportation so we can clarify responsibility up to that wall area. I know that part of the property is of great concern, and so we will fill you in on the direction after our meeting in the coming two weeks. Thanks!”
2/1/23 Parks & Rec just sent us the path design, which is here, for the Montezuma portion of the walking path. We’re told the final plan will be available in a week or two with construction to start in April.
12/5/22 Parks & Rec’s Owen Long: “After a second review by Pima County Flood Control and the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Team (GSI), we are waiting on the Final Design in the next 10 days. Once this is received we will present it to the Neighborhood for review and go out to bid shortly after. I see work starting in the first quarter [of 2023]. It would be take approximately 2-3 months to fully construct. Sorry this is all the info I have currently, as I am dependent on several agencies to provide information. I will provide you with the Final updated plan asap.”
10/22/22 Parks & Rec’s Owen Long: “ There is some discussion regarding the walking path section that will exist in the old roadway. This plan shows a scenario where we would keep a “Serpentine” asphalt path and remove the remaining asphalt. While that plan sounds like a way to save money, it may actually cost more to save it and be less aesthetically pleasing. Hopefully, we can get some input from your eighborhood group on this and other matters. There should be an update to this plan in the coming weeks. Thank you!”
10/19/22 Project Manager Owen Long: “The Designer [WLB group] is still incorporating comments from Pima County Flood Control and the COT Green Stormwater Infrastructure group. The depressed basin areas are generally placed where they have to be for engineering and water flow purposes. They will help to recharge groundwater under the park rather than have all surface water flow downstream. Additionally, the basins are located to avoid any tree removal, and will provide more water to their root systems.
There is some discussion regarding the walking path section that will exist in the old roadway. This plan [updated, detailed plan is here] shows a scenario where we would keep a 6′ “Serpentine” asphalt path and remove the remaining asphalt. While that plan sounds like a way to save money, it may actually cost more to save it and be less aesthetically pleasing. Hopefully, we can get some input from your neighborhood group on this and other matters. There should be an update to this plan in the coming weeks.” Additional information is here.
Alvernon & Fifth Coalition Meeting
DATE: Wednesday March 22, 2023
TIME: 6 PM LOCATION: Ward 6 – 3202 E 1ST ST / ZOOM
Residents of neighborhoods in and around the area of Fifth and Alvernon, including Miramonte, Peter Howell, El Encanto, Highland Vista, and Midway Village, seek to work with Ward VI, TPD, businesses, churches, and nearby neighborhoods to recognize, report, and prevent criminal activity in our neighborhoods. Meetings will be held every 4th Wednesday of each month at 6pm. You are invited to attend. For information, contact PHNA Board member Nancy Huff.
Recycle containers (blue bins with no glass) should be placed at the curb on: Mar 20, Apr 3 and 17, May 1, 15 and 30, June 12 and 26, 2023.
Each week, Ward 6 City Councilman Steve Kozachik prepares a useful summary of city-wide issues and news – his newsletter is available here.
*Entries on this page may be borrowed from various sources with appreciation