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 Graphic from the National Weather Service.
You know this summer has been hot. You felt it. Hotter than usual. Last month every day had triple-digit high temps. It was the hottest single month on record for Tucson since we started keeping records in 1895. It has stayed hot – this weekend will likely break records as well
So please, no more climate change denial. No more excuses. The experts (and visionary leaders like my hero Greta Thunberg) have warned us for years. We know what needs to happen to avoid world-wide catastrophe, but we have only taken the first steps.
 Greta Thunberg photo by Anders Hellberg Derivative work: Dikson, CC BY-SA 4.0
The world is burning. It is time to act decisively.
Experiencing this summer’s heat, I am recommitted to do all I can in two general areas.
1. Tucson has a comprehensive Climate Action Plan that when implemented can shrink the City’s carbon footprint and reduce our role in global climate collapse. We need to expand our efforts to help businesses and residents get on board as well.
2. Already there are too many heat related deaths in Tucson, and there will be more. We need to prepare, to become resilient, in the face of hotter temps and stronger storms. For instance, our cooling centers need to become resiliency centers that are solar-powered with back up batteries, we need to aggressively plant more native vegetation and drought tolerant trees, pursue federal grants for more community solar, and make our public transportation appealing enough that people choose to leave their cars at home.
 Photo from the National Weather Service.
There is much to do. Much of it will make our lives better. The native trees my neighborhood association have planted over the years are thriving on the stormwater collected in basins – they shade where we walk, reduce atmospheric carbon, and provide habitat for birds. Some actions will be harder and take political will to do what is right. I hope I have your support when Mayor and Council (and others) have to make those hard choices.
Our country and our beloved Sonoran Desert City are more than capable of rising to the challenge. We were the first to walk on the moon. We eliminated polio. More recently, we survived COVID. We can do this!
I invite you to take part in this important mission. This is the hottest summer on record, and we have already had one incredibly destructive storm pass through Tucson last week. Let’s not let it be the coolest summer we experience for the rest of our lives.
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 Amirah at Kidco working on an art project.
It’s back to school time, and the City-run Kidco Summer Camps wrapped up the season last week. This was the second summer my child attended camp at the Donna Liggins Center at Mansfield Park in Ward 3. Once again she had a blast. The main reason she and so many kids have a great time is simple: the Kidco staff are excellent. The staff are all generally young, and it's clear that they really love what they do and really care about the kids in their care.
Amirah Williams’ has been a ‘Recreation Worker’ for the Kidco program for five seasons now. This is her third at the Donna Liggins Center. She told me, "I lead and play with large groups of children and provide a safe environment for them to express themselves through different activities." Amirah remembers my child had a tough time with her ‘r’s last summer and was a little wistful to hear her get them right this time around. “It feels like I’ve watched so many kids grow up through the summers!”
 Amirah and her mom.
Amirah started working for Kidco right after graduating from Tucson High and after some urging from her mom. She said she didn’t really know what she wanted to do. Her mom told her to look on the City website for job postings. Amirah and her best friend at the time applied and both got hired. “I get paid to play! This sounds easy and fun!” As the youngest of five kids, and because she has seven nieces and nephews, Amirah enjoys being around kids.
The Kidco Summer camp structures its days between physically engaging large group games, smaller group art projects, 'nature walks' around the park, snacks, and lunch.
In between summers, Amirah attended the University of Arizona and graduated last year with a degree in Retail and Consumer Science. She is now employed by Victoria Secret Corporate in their Marketing department and will be moving to Ohio in the new year. “This has been my favorite job I’ve ever had. I will miss all the kids so much.” My child and I both will definitely miss her next summer!
The Kidco Summer Camp program is for kids ages 5 to 11, runs Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 6pm and costs $125 for each 4 week session - both June and July. The camps are hosted at 11 recreation centers throughout the city, including both of the Ward 3 centers Marty Birdman and Donna Liggins. In addition, five school campuses split between Amphi and TUSD also have Kidco Summer Camp programs. This last summer, 998 kids were served!
 University of Arizona School graduate 2023.
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 The Homing Project Demo shelter with Ward 3 staff member Shannon Jenkins and intern Kate McKeever.
The tiny home demonstration house from the Homing Project will be leaving the Ward 3 parking lot tomorrow (Saturday, August 5). The 64 square foot home, costs around $13,000 to construct, and is powered by an electrical hook-up similar to an RV. Although, it comes with a small air conditioning unit, there is no water or plumbing. The vision is to keep costs down while building community of tiny homes where bathrooms are separate and kitchen facilities are communal. If you haven’t had a chance, please swing by and check out this potential affordable and creative option to assist with our housing crisis.
 Ward 3 staffers Katie Bolger, Shannon Jenkins and intern Kate McKeever inside the Pallet Shelter.
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 The Amphi Foundation gives college scholarships to high school seniors who have an interest in becoming teachers and, hopefully, return to the Amphi School District to educate the next generation.
Council Member Dahl and the Ward 3 Staff recently met with Tim Kroner, the Executive Director of the Amphi Foundation. This remarkable organization has been working to transform schools into community hubs of support and inclusivity since 1983. That makes this their 40th year in operation! If you don’t know much about the Amphi Foundation, they are the non-profit arm of the Amphi Public School District.
Their primary goal is meet student’s needs for clothing, hygiene items, and food, which some low-income families struggle to provide. This
makes it possible for students to attend school ready to learn every day. With the help of volunteers, they operate a Clothing Bank and Resource Center that helps ensure every student has appropriate and comfortable clothing for school. Another program they run is called Shoes to Smiles, where students are paired with volunteers to shop for a brand-new pair of shoes - many of these children have never had the opportunity to pick out their own shoes before.
 Tim Kromer, Executive Director of the Amphi Foundation.
The Amphi Foundation also has two other areas of focus: Support and Success. In the last year alone, the Foundation was able reinvest $320,361 in the form of grants that funded a variety of creative projects, classroom needs, and professional development trainings. The Amphi Foundation is also dedicated to helping students succeed outside of the classroom by providing summer programs, athletic stipends, scholarships for secondary education, and more.
If you’re looking to get involved or other ways to help, Tim expressed that the Clothing Bank and Resource Center could really use some extra volunteers, especially on Wednesdays! The Center is currently open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2-5pm. They would also love more volunteers to work in their Shoes to Smiles program, where community members are paired with students to help them shop for shoes. If you are interested in either of these opportunities, please visit their website at www.amphifoundation.org, or reach out the donation center located at 333 N. Stone Ave, or call (520) 696-5142.
 The Amphi Foundation Clothing Bank Resource Center.
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 Baloo /ID#A601692
Age: 8 years
Qualities: Meet Baloo! This sweet senior with the BEST smile came from a home where he was said to be a perfectly low-energy, sweet companion. Baloo can be a little shy at first, but he warms up quickly and enjoys being petted; he especially loves to be brushed. He's housebroken, smart, and good-natured and would make a wonderful family member!
Fee: Baloo 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.
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Balboa Heights Neighborhood Association Meeting
Tuesday 8/08 5:30 – 7:00 PM
Marty Birdman Center, 2536 N Castro Ave. Tucson, AZ 85705
North University Neighborhood Association Meeting
Wednesday 8/09 5:30-7:30 PM
Ward 3 Community Room, 1510 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85719
Sugar Hill Neighborhood Association Meeting
Wednesday 8/09 6:00-7:00 PM
Donna R Liggins Recreation Center, 2160 N. 6th Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705
Fort Lowell Corridor Crime and Safety Meeting
Tuesday 8/15, 5:30 – 6:30 PM
AGM, 3544 E. Fort Lowell Rd., Tucson, AZ 85716
Meeting info and North Dodge Website
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.
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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.
Thrive in the 05 Business Forum August 7!
 Free Back to School Event on August 5th, 2023
 Free After School Drop-In Program beginning August 7th
 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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Digital Equity Survey
Arizona Commerce Authority and Digital Equity Institute are seeking feedback to help inform the creation of Arizona's Digital Equity Plan. The Digital Equity survey asks about access and use of the Internet, technology, and support systems, and any barriers limiting your full digital participation. Community member and community organization input will help ensure that the local needs of all Arizonans are included in the plan.
Scan a QR code or copy a link to participate.
Surveys are due by August 15, 2023.
Homeownership Forum on Monday August 14
Help Drive the Change! Provide comments on proposed transit service changes today!
The City of Tucson, in partnership with the Pima Association of Governments (PAG) and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), is proposing transit service changes throughout the greater Tucson region. Changes may be coming to your route. Provide your thoughts on the proposed improvements, which include:
- Realigning and extending routes
- Investing in high-frequency service
- Improving access and quality of service
- Extending service hours
- Adding weekend frequency
Get Involved!
Your feedback is important to us. You can provide your comments anytime through September 8, 2023, using any of the options below!
 
Free Public Defense Clinic!
Get Paid to Get Lifeguard Certified!
 Are you or someone you know looking for a part-time job? Tucson Parks and Recreation is hiring lifeguards to operate and maintain the safety at City pools year-round. The minimum age to be a lifeguard is 15 years old. Pay starts at $16.75/hour.
The City will pay applicants to get their Lifeguard Certification through the City’s certification path. The lifeguard class is an intense, fast-paced course, and strong swim skills are required. All applicants must pass a swim test to qualify. For more information on becoming a lifeguard or to register for the swim test, visit the website.
Sign Up for Tucson's Climate Action Report!
You can use this link to subscribe to the Climate Action Report through the City Manager's Office:https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/AZTUCSON/subscriber/new
Did You Know?
Cooling Centers Are Open Across Tucson!
In an effort to meet the need for respite from the record-high temperatures this summer, Tucson opened cooling centers on June 5, 2023.
The City cooling centers are open seven days a week, from noon-4 p.m. (closed for holidays on June 19 and July 4). The locations are listed below.
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Donna Liggins Center, 2160 N. 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705
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El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Road, Tucson, AZ 85714
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El Rio Center, 1390 W. Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85745
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Morris K. Udall Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road, Tucson, AZ 85715
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Randolph Center, 200 S. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85711
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Clements Center, 8155 E. Poinciana Drive, Tucson, AZ 85730
The cooling centers will be operational and stay accessible based on usage. Resources will be allocated to locations that demonstrate serving the highest level of need.
In addition to these cooling stations, the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness has a list of more cooling centers and locations for water and supplies.
These additional locations where people can get out of the heat and sun include:
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Salvation Army Hospitality House, 1002 N Main Ave.
Open seven days a week, noon to 5 p.m.
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Primavera Foundation, 702 S. 6th Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701.
Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
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Sister Jose Women’s Center, 1050 S. Park Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719
Open Monday-Saturday, noon-4 p.m.
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Grace St Paul’s Episcopalian Church, 2331 E. Adams St.
Open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from noon-4 p.m.
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La Frontera RAPP, 1082 E. Ajo Way
Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Kino Service Center, 2797 E. Ajo Way, Tucson, AZ 85713
Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., closed holidays
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Rio Nuevo One Stop, 320 N. Commerce Center Loop, Tucson, AZ 85745
Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., closed on holidays
 
  Remove Your Pool!
 More than 20% of single-family households in Tucson have a swimming pool. A typical pool uses almost 30,000 gallons of water per year and represents significant costs to operate and maintain. As a pool owner, do you ever wonder about the benefits of not having a pool? If so, Tucson Water, Metro Water, Oro Valley Water, and Marana Water have collaborated to create a new hyper-local website (find it here) to answer common questions, such as how much you can save, who removes pools, the cost benefits, and how getting rid of a pool can conserve water and energy. If you want to keep your pool, the website also offers tips on how to check for leaks, use pool backwash for irrigation, and more.
Connect Arizona Affordable Connectivity Program
  Tucson Water Discounts
Call 520-791-5443 to make an appointment or visit this site for more information: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/water/low-income-assistance-program
 We welcome your feedback !
Please feel free to email us at Ward3@tucsonaz.gov
To subscribe to this newsletter go to https://www.tucsonaz.gov/ward-3
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