Looking back at its siblings.

We have been enjoying the company of baby foxes recently. Above are two photos that my dad took of one of them.

Earlier this spring, we heard our neighbors had a den in their backyard… several weeks ago, the babies started exploring the area. I’m not sure how many there are, but we’ve seen at least two at once. They wander around our yard like a pet dog or cat. They have been very bold and curious. I’ve seen them following our neighbors as they’ve unloaded their car…they kept a distance of about 8-10 feet…darting backwards if the people changed direction.

One of them came right up to our side door when it smelled the cooking inside; Mike had to shoo it away. They’re so cute, I almost wanted to toss it a treat….(of course I wouldn’t). One day, another one followed Mike around while he was working in the yard. They started becoming so friendly and fearless, we wondered if something had happened to the parents, but our neighbors said they still saw the parents coming and going from the den.

A few days ago, we saw one following a cat….it stayed about 15 feet behind it. We thought it might be stalking it, but when the cat took off running, the fox didn’t give chase. We have found some partially eaten rabbits in the yard. The adult foxes don’t hang around very long and maintain more distance, so it’s been fun to watch the young ones. We look forward to watching the babies grow over the summer!

Last evening Rick Tilton of the Columbus Department of Public Service asked me to share this information regarding the closing of Cooke Road.

Beginning Monday, July 6, Cooke Road will be closed from Indianola to High Street so that the bridge over Adena Brook may be rehabilitated. The City of Columbus is cooperating with the Franklin County Engineer to do this project. The work should take 5-6 weeks. Cooke Road is expected to reopen by the beginning of school at Watterson High School.

A week prior to the closing, changeable message boards will be placed at High and Indianola to inform the public of the closing.

Should you have additional questions about this road work, please contact Rick Titlon at rctitlon@columbus.gov.

D Searcy
Chair
Clintonville Area Commission

Hi Friends and Neighbors–

This is my last email to the group, though I will eagerly remain aware of the Adena Brook Community neighborhood as I join the email list like you! From now on, send your information and messages to Derek Hansford at adenaderek@gmail.com. I visited with Derek and Ann in their home last week. Derek showed me pictures he’d taken of owl, hawk, salamander, a variety of squirrel and various native wildflowers and trees during the different seasons! Derek and Ann volunteer time to invasive removal on the Indianola side of Overbrook.

A few things:

WEBSITE
Book mark the Adena Brook Community website for current information.

WHO WILL SEND EMAIL
Two people have the list of email addresses:
[1] Derek Hansford, new leader of Adena Brook Community and the core team, will send periodic emails about ravine issues and news.
[2] Judy Robinson will send a monthly clean up reminder.

KEY CHORES – WHO IS DOING WHAT?
A few neighbors ask for an explanation of the work neighbors have committed to do. Here’s a summary, though this group of people may gather and decide to expand or edit this list of things to do.

Derek Hansford: coordinates work and decisions of the core team (street representatives); information from neighbors and mentors about Adena Brook Community is sent to Derek; communicates with mentors and key City contacts

Ann Florentine: oversees financials in conjunction with Clintonville Beechwold Community Resources Center

Nan Platt: sends donor acknowledgment letters along with tax exemption receipt

Judy and Bob Robinson: monthly clean ups; put out supplies and signs, report bags to Keep Columbus Beautiful, report hauling to Jim Roberts, Watershed Organic Lawn Care. This is the backbone work of Adena Brook Community.

Kenn Cahill: ongoing honeysuckle removal and reports where work is needed

Greg Cunningham: maintenance of 62 nesting houses.

Steve and Georgia Blum-Herminghausen, Ellen Hoover: maintenance of the website

Greg Schneider: oversee Adena Brook Rain Garden

Carters: maintain Cooke Road exit area

Kip Patterson: holds maps of water and sewer lines; is go-to person for CIP questions.

Mentors: post news related to Adena Brook Community conservation issues on the group website

Street reps: post news related to Adena Brook Community conservation issues on the group website. Read list of street reps here: http://adenabrook.org/mission.html

These groups have permits to pick up litter on parkland in our neighborhood: Will Wreiss, science teacher, Bishop Watterson (invasive removal also); Todd Burger, teacher at Graham School (invasive removal also); Carly Pugh, student intern at Graham School (garlic mustard and degirdling also); Anne Wang, Asia Youth Group (ASPI building).

BEUTER RAIN GARDEN – ENDANGERED MEDICINAL PLANT RAIN GARDEN
Jim Roberts of Watershed Organic Lawn Care will install an endangered species medicinal rain garden at Jeff and Phyllis Beuter’s home, 600 Glenmont Avenue. The planting was scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, June 20. Because of the rain, drop by between 10 – 1 NEXT Saturday, June 27th. I began a health and wellness business about a year and a half ago. I use profits on products to fund model rain gardens in the neighborhood. This is one of them. Another will be installed at Denise and Michael Brenner’s home. If you’re interested in supporting these clean water projects, check out my website: http://www.shaklee.net/susanmichaelbarrett. I’ll continue to raise funds for two more Columbus rain gardens to be installed next year.

ADENA BROOK RAIN GARDEN
If you want to learn more about the native plants in our area and those in natural areas, find Greg Schneider at the rain garden on second Saturdays and also randomly during the month. The rain garden is thriving with some unusual and intriguing native species.

VIC MAGARY AND METRO MARTIAL ARTS
Vic sent a video of Metro Martial Arts families participating in the June Riverpride clean up. 68 people volunteered! View it here:

View it here:
http://www.vicmagary.com/blog/acts-of-kindness/ravine-clean-up-2009/

Mark your calendar now to join Vic’s famlies and our group for the June second Saturday cleanup in 2010. Through Metro Martial Arts, Vic teaches wellness, character strength, civic responsibility and sows seeds of philanthropy as part of his program. This is one of my favorite events of the year and favorite companies. I nominated Metro Martial Arts for Clintonville Chamber of Commerce’s business of the year. He didn’t win this year, maybe next year! This is certain: his company is highly respected by Clintonville families.

A GRAND NEIGHBORHOOD
Some of you already know that our home went into contract the second day on the market at full price! THAT is a sign of a great neighborhood (and thank you ReMax realtor Missy Ellis!) Go Adena Brook! We begin our “happy trails” adventure on July 30. Movers here on July 6th.

I think that’s everything.

Warm wishes–
Susan

A endangered species medicinal rain garden is going in at the Beuter home, 600 Glenmont Avenue. The location is their front yard. The original plan was to plant tomorrow (June 20th) but the thunderstorms today cause a change in planning.

Please stop by next Saturday, June 27th, for the planting. Jim Roberts from Watershed Organic Lawn Care will be available to answer your questions. The Beuters welcome visitors.

Donations from The Michael Hazelroth Rainy Day Fund support this garden.

Dear Adena Brook Neighbors,

I hope this finds you well and enjoying this glorious, early-summer weather.

I need to comment, if you will indulge me, on some misinformation that has made the rounds about some of our wild brethren. I will be brief, but do hope that you will take this information into consideration.

* The red fox, Vulpes vulpes, is indigenous to most of the North American continent.
* Adult weight is usually 6.5 – 20 pounds.
* The majority of a fox’s diet consists of invertebrates such as insects, mollusks (yard grubs), and crayfish. They also feed upon mice, rats, young rabbits (not adult), frogs, and eggs. A substantial portion of a fox’s diet is also comprised of fruit and berries. They will also eat carrion….contributing to the overall cleanliness of an area.
* Foxes have disproportionately small stomachs, compared to dogs and cats, and thus, eat only small prey.
* Foxes tend to be crepuscular, meaning that they are active at dawn and dusk, but seldom during the daylight or nighttime hours.
* Foxes are SOLITARY hunters. They do not form packs. They do not live communally as do other canids. They are monogamous during the breeding season and spend the rest of the year alone.
* Foxes do NOT attack domestic animals….cats, dogs, etc. They pose NO threat to pets and indeed, keep their / our environment free of rodents and other pests.
* When crows are heard fussing and carrying on, it is NOT on account of foxes. The two species are not even awake and active at the same times during the day. When the crows are fussing, look carefully for the red-tailed hawk as he is usually the cause of the commotion.
* The average feeding/breeding range of a fox is up to 22 acres thus, they do NOT commonly share territory or over-populate an area.

* We have a family of foxes in the brook area this season and are wonderfully fortunate to be able to see them from time to time. This is a reclusive species and to observe them for a time is a privilege and a joy. They are our wild brethren. We share this earth. We share this community. Please let us NOT fall ‘prey’ to wanton misinformation. Please let us respect these creatures and honor their habits. They and their kind were, after all, here long before we were……..and I believe we do well to remember this.

My best to all during this lovely season. Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts.

Kindest personal regards,

Cari Brackett, Pharm.D.
Associate Clinical Professor
The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy
Department of Family Medicine
500 West 12th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
(614) 292-5718
FAX (614) 292-1335

Hi from Toni & Marc, National Wildlife Federation Habitat Ambassadors!

Celebrate National Pollinator week by coming to our Annual ‘Parade of Certified Wildlife Gardens’ on Sunday, June 28 from noon to 6. All of the gardens are in the Worthington area this year.

For more information see – maps are in Tour Guide on the right side of the main page.

They are also excellent pollinators, far more proficient than European honeybees. To see information about pollinators of all sorts visit the Pollinator Partnership,

Have a happy summer!

Join us!

Jim Roberts of Watershed Organic Lawn Care will install a shade rain garden at the Beuter home, 600 Glenmont Ave., between 10:00 a.m and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 20th.

This rain garden is funded through the Michael Hazelroth Rainy Day Fund.
Judy Robinson
judyrob59@gmail.com