Week 104 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

Ending Our Song on a Very High Note

In our first year, we donated 8,190 lbs. of food to PACC along with $4,042.76 in cash.

Our second—and final year—amounted to 14,324.6 lbs. of food and $2,262.83 in cash.

Combined, our Miles Neighborhood donated 22,514.6 lbs. of food and $6,305.59 in cash.

That’s a whopping 11.25 tons of food and a whole bunch of money.

Last September, as we started our second year, we donated on average, for the first 4 weeks, an impressive 270.2 lbs. of food. At that time, I said if we can keep up that momentum, we could donate close to 14,000 lbs. by the end of next year. We make that mark and more.

Thank you for being so generous. And I’d also like to thank the folks who included a little personal note with their last donation.

Ed Zapata wrote, “It is people like you that make me proud to live where I live.”

I feel the same way about all of you. I, too, am proud to live where I live. We are all proud of the Miles Neighborhood, aren’t we?

Others like Joey and Bob Wilson, Richard Fimbres and Diane Castro had well-wishes, too.

Again, thanks for supporting me support PACC.

 Back in the Truck for the last donation

This week’s donation was 218.4 lbs. of pet food and $70.00 in three checks. In addition, there were 7 pill bottles, a small dog collar, 8 rolls of doggy bags, a treat dispenser, a tennis ball, a treat cannister, a water bottle, a pet stroller, a steel bowl, 2 small coats, a bag of colorful plastic balls, a retractable lead, a bag of diapers, a bag of training pads, 2 bottles of Pancre meds, a double lead and 3 sheets.

See you … whenever you need me.

Peter

Week 103 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

Dog Doo and Blocked Driveways

Along with his donation, Richard Fimbres, our neighbor and Ward 5 Councilmember, included a note that stated, “I have received calls regarding Dog Poop…” and “…parking in front of driveways.”

 It’s great when Richard asks for help in the neighborhood since I am always looking for something challenging to do. He wants the Poop Deserter signs posted again. But in the process of thinking about producing those signs, I thought of a more positive approach.

Near an offending site, I clothespin a doggy bag to a fence or a tree. Hopefully, the Poop Deserter will see it and take advantage of the timely gift. The most unusual aspect of this approach is the clothespin. It is only 1 inch in length. (Just imagine the pink bag and the clothespin in the photo about two thirds smaller.)

The surprise may just turn the Poop Deserter into a thoughtful neighbor.

When the site is particularly unpleasant, like the southwest corner of the Miles School, I put up two or three bags. I know, if school were in session, those cute clothespins would be gone in a second.

Also, I know the Poop Deserter may pick up his or her mess and clothespin it right back up on the fence, thinking it would be funny.

For me, getting the poop in the bag is the trick and the reward.

If it works, I’ll just keep replacing the doggy bag gifts.

This may be the home owner’s car but it does illustrate a blocked driveway.

Basically, the issue of a blocked driveway is one of confrontation, which folks really hate. After some research I came up with an arm’s length approach.

First, make up a No Parking sign. Include the phone number of the tow truck company and the address where the driver can pick up his or her towed vehicle. You’ve seen those signs, I’m sure.

I suggest you contact Barrett’s Towing at (800) 722-2302 and let them explain the whole process to you. https://barnettstowing.com/a-brief-look-at-private-property-towing-laws-in-arizona/ Or any other towing company you like.

With sign in place, and another vehicle parks illegally, take the VIN number and call the police. They will give you permission to call a tow truck.

If your problem is immediate and you don’t have a sign, I again suggest you call Barrett’s. They will go over what you need to know. Then call the police.

The law has been broken for sure, but it is always wise to get your ducks in a row before reacting. Actually, that’s for everything in life.

This week’s donation was 67.0 lbs. of pet food and a $50.00 check. In addition, there were 7 pill bottles.

See you Sunday,

Peter

Week 102 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

On the Lookout for More Responsibility

While waiting for Oscar to show up with the delivery cart at PACC today I noticed an older woman walk up to the front entrance with a dog as cute as the one above and two shopping bags filled with toys and dog stuff. She was a bit preoccupied and did not take the shady seat I offered. The pup was very friendly and interested in everything.

 A staffer wearing a full face shield that covered his neck, too, came up to me to say Oscar was on his way. He then walked over to the lady with the dog and started to talk quietly. His face shield had a large graphic of the Grim Reaper on it which may have been more appropriate for Halloween, I’m thinking.   

Their conversation was muffled. I had a sense, but no idea what was really going on. At the same time Oscar appeared, the staffer took the lead and walked the dog inside the medical doors. Before moving to catch up with Oscar, I let the lady walk in front of me and saw that she was beginning to cry and sniffle. I could feel her anguish.

 When I caught up to Oscar and the cart I asked if the woman were turning in her dog. I had been studying the pup for 10 minutes or so and if that were the case

I will adopt the dog now. Of course, I needed the backstory first. Oscar radioed his team and it turns out the dog is toy aggressive and even bit the woman’s hand. She tried for a long time to retrain the dog but failed. 

Turning in My Two-Week Notice 

For the past month or so I have been contemplating closing down Rescued Critters Food Drive because collecting 50 lbs. a week is not much of a challenge. So before Oscar arrived today I was seriously considering adopting another dog. That woman’s dog was not a good match but I told Oscar to put me on his list and as soon as he has a candidate, I will adopt.

As you may have guessed, I don’t shy away from purposeful responsibility. It’s the stuff that gets me going every day. I need physical activity and measurable results. That’s how I got this old.

Lastly, I have to say how much I appreciate all of your help over the past two years. We donated tons and tons of food to PACC and we made a big difference.

August 30, 2020 will be my last collection Sunday. Then a few day later I will email and drop off a printed report of all our donations.

Again, thanks for making the past two years lots of meaningful fun.

This week’s donation was 58.0 lbs. of pet food and a $50.00 check. In addition, there was a roll of doggy bags, 5 pill bottles, dog boots, and puppy and dog medicated shampoo.

See you Sunday,

Peter

Week 101 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

 Hi Folks,

And then...

Most days I take 12^th Street to get to Broadway, turning on Fremont for just a moment. Last week I noticed some new graffiti on an electrical box next to a building on Fremont. The art was so bad it forced me to stop. When I took a photo, a man on the roof above gave me a thumbs up and pointed to the building directly behind me and across the street. The whole wall was covered with another no-idea mess.

Usually Josie Zapata handles graffiti in the Miles Neighborhood but I though I’d give it a try instead of passing this junk off to my friend.

The City of Tucson has an aggressive Graffiti Removal Program that is thoroughly explained on its website. https://www.tucsonaz.gov/es/graffiti#:~:text=Graffiti%20outside%20of%20the%20City,CITY%20(792%2D2489). 

Or you can take a shortcut and go directly to their “Graffiti Removal Report” and fill it out. That’s what I did and attached my photos.

https://www.tucsonaz.gov/es/graffiti-removal-report

Today I noticed both the electrical box and the building wall were sporting a new coat of paint.

Now that was easy.

Saw another large mess on the building at the intersection of Broadway and Vine. Think I’ll send them a photo tomorrow.

In 1995, I lived near 22^nd and Kolb and next to a very sweet neighbor with 4 kids and a Dachshund who unfortunately ate a Colorado River Toad. Since that day, I have been spooked every time I see a toad, yanking my pups out of the way. That changed about a month ago when I met a very determined little Couch's spadefoot (Scaphiopus couchii) toad. That white thing she is sitting on in the photo above is the digging spadefoot. The web tells me that if there is little or no black in the skin design she’s a she.

When I first noticed the Big Eyed Greenie, she was sitting next to the truck tire. My guys paid not attention but that made not difference to me. I scooped her up and transported her to the next alley across Highland. But a week later she was back staring up at me.

This time I put her in the alley next to the Arroyo Chico Park entrance. That’s a real long hop from my driveway.

Last weekend she showed up again. My pups don’t care so I don’t care. I’m just going to let her be … with lots of admiration for her tenacity. I did alert my neighbors because they have two dogs. They were appreciative and they know the dangers but they have a very tall slatted fence and will remain vigilant.

Never had a toad as a friend before. Can’t say that any more.

InkJet printer ink is expensive, which forces me to buy inexpensive printers. Have no need for high quality photo printing so I like to spend no more than $35 - $40 for a printer. This is one of those printers, a Canon Pixma Mg2522 for $34.88.

When I bought the Purina pet food Sunday at Walmart I also decided to pick up a replacement for my broken printer.

Up and down a couple of isles but no printers. Where did they go? I asked a clerk and he said, “Behind you on the bottom shelf.” I turned and only saw a long empty shelf. “There are none,” I said.

“There’s one way down on the end, it costs $34.88.”

 Pressed up against the wall was the printer I was looking to buy. The only one left.

 Ain’t karma great!

This week’s donation was 61.3 lbs. of pet food and $50.00 in two checks. In addition, there were three pill bottles.

See you Sunday,

Peter

Week 100 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

Fewer Cars, More Speeders

“In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM) piloted Tucson Slow Streets, an initiative to reconfigure streets to support social distancing and encourage physical activity. The Slow Streets program temporarily closes certain streets to all but local traffic, giving Tucsonans more space to safely walk, bike, and run.”

Click on the link to learn more about the program.

https://tucson.com/news/local/road-runner-tucsons-slow-streets-pilot-program-aims-to-provide-relief-to-residents/article_2e08ebe5-cd40-54f2-8f19-e926048bbdf1.html

On top of the  COVID-19 situation, the Miles Neighborhood has become a Broadway Construction Project shortcut. Cars are slicing through our neighborhood with little regard for STOP signs and speed limits.

So in addition to their Slow Streets Program, TDOT is providing SLOW DOWN signs (see below) to folks for posting next to their curb. It may or may not work, but at least you are trying to do something about the speeders.

 Contact: (520) 791-4371

               TDOTconcerns@tucsonaz.gov

COMING ...

GOING ...

A First, More $5.00 than $1.00 Bills

In all the years I have been collecting donations in the Miles Neighborhood, $1.00 bills far outpaced $5s, $10s and $20s … by lots. Mostly 18 or more to two or three of the others. Sunday, folks donated 5 $1.00 bills and 7 $5.00 bills. Ten dollars in quarters pushed us over $50.00 and into the two big bags category.

Richard Fimbres donated that big bag of Pedigree food and as I picked it up he saw me struggling and helped get it into the truck. Why was I straining? Can handle 50 lbs. with some effort. Then I saw the problem. It was a 55 lb. bag … 5 lbs. above my limit. Makes a difference, you know.

This week’s donation was 161.6 lbs. of pet food and $65.00 in three checks. In addition, there was a bag of treats.

Our numbers are climbing again, thanks for your generosity.

See you Sunday,

Peter

Week 99 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

Americans Who Lead

The best and most interesting thing that happened this week was Christina, my friend and neighbor, gave me a bobblehead statue of Dr. Fauci.

After placing him on my desk, I thought back to my early days in school where I learned about America and its governance. The system was too expansive for a 10-year-old to grasp but I thought about the great people in power. They were the brightest and most thoughtful people on the planet who came together to do the right thing.

To my dismay, sixty-eight year later there are only a handful of folks who measure up to my vision of caring leaders, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Frances Perkins, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Barack Obama, Bill and Melinda Gates, John Lewis and now, Dr. Anthony Fauci. 

It is apparent that leaders who take their responsibility seriously is just a childish notion.

Order you own Dr. Fauci bobblehead for $25.00 at Bobblehead.com

This week’s donation was 84.5 lbs. of pet food and a $25.00 check. In addition, there was an 8” Chew Tire  and 5 pill bottles.

See you Sunday,

Peter

Week 98 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

Words of Encouragement

Got a short note from Bennett Simonsen early last week, PACC’s Community Programs Manager. Here, read it yourself.

“It’s awesome that this is still going strong in the midst of all this. Thank you for keeping it going. 😊

Thanks, Bennett, we needed that.

This week’s donation was 67 lbs. of pet food and a $50.00 check. In addition, there was 1 set of pup booties and 3 pill bottles.

See you Sunday,

Peter