 Council Member Dahl at the Grand Canyon.
As this newsletter enters your inbox, my wife and I are likely standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon. I’ve been dozens of times – being in its presence always astounds. We are on a short northern Arizona vacation, with the Grand Canyon and Petrified Forest – two of my favorite national parks – our primary destinations.
I hope you are finding time this summer to vacation, take a break (or several), to reconnect and rejuvenate. I’ve discovered there are many ways to vacation. Seashore, mountains, trip of a lifetime to (you fill in the blank), exploring new (air conditioned) shops in town, an afternoon in a city pool or recreation center (again, air conditioned), or enjoying a new jigsaw puzzle while binge watching a new show or revisiting a favorite old movie.
Whatever you do, I wish you some happy and joyous vacation time this summer!
-Kevin
By Marlene Avelino
 Amanda, Isaac, and their two children Isaac Jr. & Ivy.
Last week I met with Amanda and Isaac, owners of Izzy Custom Finishes - mechanic and restoration, and their two kids, Isaac Jr and Ivy. Izzy Custom Finishes is located at 3048 North Stone Avenue where Amanda handles the administrative side and Isaac works on the auto repairs and restoration side.
They launched the business in 2021, after the auto body shop Isaac worked at started pandemic related layoffs. Amanda worked in the health/hospital industry at the time and has since left to commit full time to Izzy’s.
When asked how the pandemic affected their new business they shared that it was actually helpful in that no new cars were available at the time they set up shop. Several used car dealerships turned to them to help fix up incoming stock and it really helped them establish the auto repair side of the business. A craigslist ad landed them their first finish job, a vintage Camaro. The Camaro looked so good it led to a Corvette. And now they try to balance quick jobs, auto repair, with long jobs, finish/restoration work.
 Isaac working on a vehicle in his shop.
Isaac shared that he understands the fear of starting your own business and he delayed taking the leap himself due to fear of failure. “The fear of failure can manifest in various ways, including self-doubt, uncertainty about the market or industry, financial concerns, and the fear of losing everything invested in the business.”
On the flip side, being in business for yourself can be very rewarding. “Customer satisfaction is not only a validation of my skills and expertise but also a testament to the hard work and dedication I put into my business.”
When asked what advice he would offer to people considering going into business for themselves, Isaac said, “The advice I would give to someone wanting to start their own business is to have confidence in setting fair market prices and to be firm in maintaining them. It's natural for customers to try to negotiate prices or seek lower rates, but it's essential to value your products or services appropriately and not let yourself be easily swayed.”
 Isaac and Amanda on their wedding day.
Isaac is from Obregon, Sonora and Amanda is from Michigan and moved here from Montana in 2011. They met on Tinder in April of 2019 and got married that July. Besides the two kids, Amanda and Isaac also have two dogs, 3 cats, and one foster dog!
Ward 3 is full of small, local businesses and we are so glad that Izzy Custom Finishes is among them.
By CJ Boyd
 The ribbon cutting at Just Churros.
Ward 3 welcomes Just Churros, a new locally-owned business at 4280 N. Oracle Rd, in the shopping center on the corner of Oracle and Limberlost Drive. Tucson Metro Chamber hosted a grand opening and ribbon cutting at the location on Friday, June 30th. Council Member Dahl and staff stopped by to celebrate this new, sweet business.
 Kassandra Pintor dipping the churros in sugar and cinnamon as her husband Ricky Pintor works the fryer. Friend of the owners Erica Chamblain and investor Andy Luna were there to help out on opening day.
Operated by Kassandra and Ricky Pintor, Just Churros began as a food truck in 2012. Ricky initially started the truck with his father Rick Pintor, with inspiration from Ricky’s grandfather Modesto Pintor. Modesto started a churro truck called Los Churros in Douglas, Arizona in 1981. Though Ricky was born in Tucson, his close family ties in Douglass brought him there frequently. It was there he met his wife and now business partner Kassandra.
Between 2019 and 2020, Ricky tragically lost both his father and his grandfather. As Ricky and Kassandra achieve this dream of opening up their own brick and mortar churro shop, it is with loving memory of these two men who passed down their recipe for some truly delicious churros.
Before opening the fixed location, the Just Churros truck operated all over Tucson. Kassandra told me about posting up at the Tucson Rodeo, the Festival of Books, Tucson Meet Yourself, and many other staple Tucson community events. In recent years, their most regular spot was in the parking lot of El Güero Canelo Restaurant, one of Tucson’s classic locales for Sonoran Dogs and tacos, among other things.
 Investor Andy Luna, Owner Ricky Pintor, Ricky's son Lucas Pintor, and Council Member Dahl in front of Just Churros.
It was there at El Güero Canelo that the truck got a big bump from Food Network celebrity Alton Brown who stopped by on a tour of Tucson and gave high praise on social media to the purveyors of tasty churros. This uptick in attention helped pave the way to their opening in the Limberlost neighborhood.
 A heart-shaped churro made with love.
Kassandra and Ricky have two small children. Lucas (6), and Ellie (4) were there at the grand opening, along with other family and friends to commemorate the occasion.
We would like to send a special note of thanks to the staff and volunteers at Pima Animal Care Center for all their hard work. The City of Tucson and PACC have always had a great working relationship and we appreciate the focus and commitment of this partnership to continually care for our community’s lost and abandoned dogs and cats. Today, PACC is again facing a high volume of incoming animals and they need our help getting their appeal out about pet adoptions. Please reach out to your neighbors and friends, and/or consider adopting a new family member yourself. Fostering a dog or cat also helps relieve the stress for both the pets and the staff of PACC. We are confident that with everyone’s help we can have an impact on this heartbreaking problem. As always, thank you for doing what you can to make our community the amazing place it is.
Kalichi /ID# A687992
Age: 5 years
Qualities:
Husky lovers, this one's for you! Kalichi is one gorgeous girl. This dreamboat does well with other dogs and was reported to have done well with kids in her previous home as well.
Fee:
Kalichi has a $0 adoption fee. A $20 license fee applies to adult dogs. Adoption includes spay or neuter, age-appropriate vaccinations, microchip, and a free vet visit.
Contact:
Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N. Silverbell Rd.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 12pm - 7pm.
Wednesday 1:30-7pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm.
The pooches listed here have been at the shelter for several months and are in desperate need of adoption. Being at the shelter for a prolonged period of time tends to stress any animal out. We are reaching out to the community to help with the adoption of these dogs or even fostering while these canines await finding their forever home.
 Ghost /ID# A799964
Age: 3 years
Qualities:
Ghost is a great example of a lovely dog who is not suited well to the shelter environment. He has been very anxious in his six months at PACC; with all the sights, sounds, smells, and dogs around, it can be very hard for a smart, sensitive boy to relax. This sweet, goofy boy LOVES his people, and he's sure to impress you with his wild zoomies. He loves to be loved, too! Ghost is neutered, microchipped, up-to-date on vaccinations, and ready to go home!
 Patricia /ID# A778148
Age: 3 years
Qualities:
Patricia is super sweet and is very friendly and social. She has done well meeting other dogs (not a fan of cats though). She's been at PACC since Dec 14, 2022 without any break in a foster home.
 Sky /ID# A803855
Age: 3 years
Qualities:
Sky is another sweetie pie who does very well with meeting new people. Sky was brought in February 28, 2022 after being surrendered due to a dog fight in the home. I'm unclear on details, but Sky and his brother both had injuries on their faces, which they ignored while soliciting as many massages as possible on our walks. Sky is starting to struggle a little more with kennel life due to his extended stay at PACC, though he is always sweet with his handlers!
Fee:
All dogs listed here have a $0 adoption fee. A $20 license fee applies to adult dogs. Adoption includes spay or neuter, age-appropriate vaccinations, microchip, and a free vet visit.
Contact:
Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N. Silverbell Rd.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 12pm - 7pm.
Wednesday 1:30-7pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm.
Next Mayor and Council Meeting
The next Mayor and Council Meeting will be on Tuesday, July 18th.
Once available, the agenda will be posted here: Mayor and Council Meeting Agendas.
Neighborhood Association Meetings
North Dodge neighborhood Association
Tuesday, July 18
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
3544 E. Ft. Lowell
 The Ward 3 office is open open at 1510 E. Grant Rd. from 9 am - 1 pm, Monday through Friday. Staff will answer phone messages, emails and requests for meetings by the next business day. Leave your message at 520-791-4711 or email ward3@tucsonaz.gov.
 ...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY...
Dangerously hot conditions with near record high temperature values of 107 to 113 expected. Elevated overnight lows and a bit more humidity will cause major to extreme risk of heat related impacts from this weekend into the early part of next week.
Keep in mind you may need to adjust your plans based on the latest health and safety guidelines from CDC and your local officials. Cooling shelters may need to take your temperature or ask questions about how you are feeling. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
Ward 3 Events
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Lend A Hand is looking for a new Coordinator!
 For more details and to submit a Job Application contact Vicki Mills at vamills@arizona.edu or 520-248-8621.
Please join us on July 13th for a special community resource fair! There will be activities for the kids as well as great resources!
¡Por favor únete a nosotros el 13 de Julio para una feria especial de recursos comunitarios! ¡Habrá actividades para los niños, así como excelentes recursos!
Free back to school supply event July 22 at 5:30pm
 Ward 3 Is Accepting Donations for the Iskashitaa Refugee Network!
The Ward 3 office is currently accepting donations of art supplies and canning supplies on behalf of the Iskashitaa Refugee Network. We are ONLY accepting jelly jars, Kerr, Mason, or Ball jars for preserving/ canning, with or without canning rings. Feel free to drop by 1510 E. Grant Rd. during our office hours (9 am to 1 pm Monday through Friday) if you'd like to support the work of this wonderful non-profit with a donation.
Grocery Sharing at Tucson Food Share - 2500 N. Stone Ave.
Groceries are shared Mondays 4:30- 6:00 pm, Thursdays 6:00 - 7:30 pm, and Saturdays from 8am-9:30am. https://tucsonfoodshare.org/ has more information about volunteering, donating, or requesting delivery.
Ready, Set, REC! in June
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