|
Ready, Set, REC!
A year ago, when it looked like COVID would keep Tucson’s Recreation Centers closed for some time, our Parks and Recreation Department started an innovative program – Ready, Set, REC! – that brought games out of the centers and into the parks and other community events being held safely outdoors. This program was a recommendation from and championed by Council Member Fimbres.
To celebrate the program’s one year birthday, park staff brought the vans full of activities (and some celebratory cupcakes) to the Ward 3 office. Highlight for me was winning – mostly by dumb luck – a game of Connect 4, a game that I had never played before!
Our newsletter will continue to announce Ready, Set, REC! events in the Ward. There has been 132 such visits! The program will also have a special Spring Kickoff Event on March 26 at Murrieta Park.
Congratulations to Parks and Recreation for doing this, and many thanks to the enthusiastic staff who drive the vans and hosts games, fun, and more for Tucson youth, families, and residents.
-Kevin
Jon Miles
As a personal point of privilege, I would like to recognize the passing of Jon Miles (1/6/1941-2/21/2022)
Jon was a veteran of the Vietnam war and President of Veteran’s for Peace. He was a miner and a labor leader; a long time Tucsonan who knew the desert and the mountains and an integral part of Casa Maria Soup Kitchen. He was a friend and a mentor to many and a constant advocate for Peace and Justice.
Rest in Power Jon Brooks Miles.
Place Network Investigation by CJ Boyd
Tucson is one of seven US cities currently trying a new policing program called Place Network Investigations (PNI) This program takes the holistic approach of recognizing that many social factors contribute greatly to the crime hot spots. This shift in perspective is aimed at getting at the source of crime, especially violent crime, in order to prevent it more effectively.
As PNI gets a trial run here in Tucson, there are specific locations that have been identified as particularly conducive to violent crimes, and so those locations will be analyzed for both criminal and other social factors that contribute to the role of criminal activity. One of those locations is here in Ward 3, with its epicenter at the Oasis Apartments at the corner of Dodge Boulevard and Flower Street.
The Dodge Flower neighborhood is located in Operation Division Midtown (ODM), which is one of the four divisions that TPD uses to organize the city. In 2021, 1.5% of the violent crime in ODM occurred at The Oasis Apartments. 5.2% of violent crimes were reported within 1000 feet of the complex, and 12.6% of the division’s violent crime was reported within 2500 feet.
Using this PNI approach, TPD hopes to study the area for ways of interrupting violent crime rather than continuing to treat the symptoms. We know that other social factors such a mental health, domestic violence, addiction and poverty all play a role. As Lt. Tony Archibald stated in his meeting with the ward 3 office, “We understand that we cannot arrest our way out of every problem.”
Poverello House by Katie Bolger
On a quiet neighborhood street on the edge of the Sugar Hill neighborhood is a small house that looks like the rest of the houses in this residential area between the University and downtown Tucson. What makes the house different from its neighbors is not it’s appearance, but rather it’s mission. Poverello House is a welcoming place for homeless men. The primary goal of Poverello is for their guests to truly feel at home. During their daytime stay, guests have the opportunity to kick-back, watch t.v., rest, eat, use the laundry and shower facilities and to share in companionship.
In 2008 Poverello House of Tucson opened its doors and invited homeless men to come in off the street for a day to sit down, decompress, get cleaned up and have healthy, home cooked meals in a homelike environment. Poverello House of Tuson was founded by Br. David Buer, ofm, a Franciscan Brother who for many years ministered to the homeless in the Tenderloin of San Francisco.
The house is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8:00 to 1:00. Guests may call 520-624-0589 to make a reservation. Each person has an assigned day once a week when they can visit the house. Between 10 and 12 guests visit daily.
Poverello House is facing challenges in its current facility. They currently rent and are hoping to purchase the 100+ year old house. In addition to the constant maintenance needs and hooping to optimize the space. If you would like more information please visit www.tucsonpoverello.com
Placemaking with Living Streets Alliance by Marlene Avelino
This week we had a meeting with Living Streets Alliance (LSA) and our Housing and Community Development department to bring us up to speed on one of the many Thrive in the 05 action activities. Thrive in the ‘05 refers to targeted programs and enhancements focused on the 05 zip code. The impetus and the funding for the ‘05 projects was a Choice Neighborhoods grant from the Department of Housing and Community Development (HUD)The action activities are physical improvements specifically community development or economic projects that enhance and accelerate the transformation of the neighborhood.
 |
LSA works to make streets accessible and enjoyable for modes of transportation beyond cars - like providing support to local K-8 schools so that walking and biking to school can be an easy, safe, and enjoyable way to get around for children and their families through their Safe Routes to School program. Their best known event is Cyclovia Tucson, a biannual celebration of community that brings people together to walk, bike, socialize, and play in car-free, care-free streets.
This particular Thrive action activity is to calm neighborhood traffic through beautification and semi-permanent infrastructure at 3-4 locations throughout ward 3. Plans include murals in the crosswalks and curb extensions - painting the street with art and lines that parallel the curb corner, leading drivers to slow down and take a wider turn, reducing the chances of collision. These events are planned as neighborhood celebrations with everyone pitching in and having fun.
With these seemingly simple projects Living Streets Alliance facilitates community building while addressing the structural inequities (lack of vegetation, beautification and safety features)that frequent marginalized and underserved communities. These projects serve to encourage neighbors to get outdoors, to make walking and biking more accessible while positively impacting the health and welfare of individual and their communities.
The Ward 3 office is excited for the activities to kick-off and we will keep everyone posted and times and dates get nailed down!
To learn more about Living Streets Alliance visit: www.livingstreetsalliance.org
Calling all volunteers! Cyclovia Tucson is just around the corner. Be a part of making this celebration of community possible by signing up as one of many volunteers needed to help make the event route car-free and care-free for 40,000 Tucsonans. To volunteer for this years Cyclovia Visit cycloviatucson.org/volunteer and plug-in in one of many ways: bring a group of friends and help manage a large intersection, take a shift along a neighborhood street helping guide participants and residents, lead others as a "super volunteer," or help out with pre- and post-event preparations. T-shirt included!
Ward 3 Neighborhood and Coalition Meetings
Fort Lowell Country Club Safety Meeting
Monday
February 28
6-7 pm
zoom
Alvernon/Grant Initiative
Crime Meeting with Tucson Police,
Neighborhoods, and Businesses
surrounding Grant and Alvernon
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2020
6:00PM
Email: paloverdena@gmail.com by 12 NOON on 3/8/22 for the ZOOM Link.
Cabrini
Thursday
March 3
6-7 pm
zoom
Feldman’s
Thursday
March 3
7-8:15
zoom
Balboa Heights
Thursday
March 17
3 pm
Placita de la Luna
204 W. Grant Rd Back Courtyard (outdoors)
Discuss re-starting Balboa Heights Neighborhood Association Neighborhood
Residents and Business Community are WELCOME!
Best parking is off Castro in the back parking lot.
Please bring a camp chair.
***Water and cookies provided.
Event Organizer: Susan Alexander email: tucsontat2@gmail.com text: 520 270 6351
Ward 3 Events
 |
|
The Ward 3 office is currently closed to the public. Staff will answer phone messages, emails and requests for meetings by the next working day. Leave your message at 520-791-4711 or email at ward3@tucsonaz.gov. |
BICAS Youth Earn-A-Bike: Spring Break Camp Ages 9-13
March 14th-18th Monday-Friday 9am-12pm Enroll in our 5 sessions bicycle repair course and earn a bicycle, helmet, and lock to take home. All camps are sliding scale, scholarships available. Register at: www.bicas.org/camp
2001 N 7th Ave, Tucson AZ 85705
Food Pantry
More Food Distribution Sites
Monday
February 28
11 am
Iglesias La Vid Verdasera
100 Ajo Way, corner Ajo and 7th avenue.
Monday
March 7
10:30 am
New Life Church
3367 N. Geronimo Av.
Plus Gospel Rescue Mission
Clothing Trailer
|
