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 Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and Council Member Dahl.
Affordable Housing Part 1: The Governor
In a small group roundtable on Thursday city and county officials spoke to Governor Katie Hobbs and her staff about Tucson’s affordable housing needs. I was proud of presentations made by Mayor Regina Romero, Interim Director of Housing and Community Services Ann Chanecka, and Deputy Director of Planning & Development Services Koren Manning, which featured the city’s Housing Affordable Strategy for Tucson (HAST) and our work to reform zoning and permitting procedures. I thanked the Governor for the state’s collaboration and help with funds to support housing projects. I also said we needed more, please and thank you. I described how out-of-state predatory investors are driving up rents and asked that she encourage the state Legislature to allow cities to establish reasonable rent controls.
 Tucson City Council breaking ground at El Milagro site.
Affordable Housing Part 2: Breaking Ground on New Senior Housing
I joined Mayor Romero, city staff, Arizona officials, and our partners Wednesday at a groundbreaking celebration for the City’s Milagro on Oracle affordable housing project, 2425 N. Oracle. A redevelopment of the former No-Tel Motel property, Milagro will provide 63 residences for Tucsonans 55 years and older, including 19 units for unsheltered individuals. This is our first Low Income Housing Tax Credit project using our newly nonprofit arm, El Pueblo Housing Development. It will be built in partnership with Gorman & Company, a national affordable housing development firm. Milagro is expected to open in 2025. Watch a video of the event at this link.
 Council aid CJ Boyd playing the bass at the Arizona Housing Forum.
Affordable Housing Part 3: Ward 3’s CJ Boyd Sets the Mood
The annual Arizona Housing Forum takes place in Tucson this week. It had a great start when my Council Aide CJ Boyd played music as participants gathered for the opening session. Before coming to work for Ward 3, CJ was a traveling musician for 12 years and is currently a member of the local band Compersion. He is attending the Housing Forum as it continues today and will report on it in a future newsletter.
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 Denise in her office at the Tucson House Annex.
I met Denise Lopez at her office at the Tucson House annex, a single-story building next to Tucson House with administrative offices. Denise is a Community Services Project Coordinator, but as Denise put’s it, “I’m an advocate for tenants, for folks experiencing or facing homelessness.”
Denise has been with the City since 2014, starting in the Section 8 program within Housing and Community Development. She was working within the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness when the City created her current role in 2020. At the start of the Covid pandemic, the City was placing unsheltered people into hotels using ARPA funds. Recognizing that it would be inhumane to return them to the street, her role was created to place them into City-owned housing and support their integration into the wider community.
Denise was born and raised in Tucson with half of her ancestry dating back to the 1700s, primarily ranchers and miners. The other half has roots extending towards Lancaster County PA, with grandparents who were German Mennonites.
 Denise at 2 years of age.
After 18 years in the private sector, including 10 years with United Airlines, Denise returned to Tucson to care for her aging grandmother. She did side jobs using her art and graphic design degree while caring full-time for her grandmother who lived to be 102! After she got her wings, Denise decided it was time to follow in her parents' footsteps and join the City of Tucson.
Both of her parents retired from the city, her mother after 36 years at Tucson Planning and Development Services Department, and her father after 24 years at Parks and Recreation.
Day to day Denise provides support to residents of Tucson House who were previously unsheltered. She assists them in signing up for benefits and healthcare, arranges for basic furnishings and kitchenware, social support, employment support, and so much more.
“Sometimes it’s finding clothes, food, even toilet paper. Other times
it’s been walking a person through Arizona Long Term Care System, substance treatment, watching them graduate from a culinary or
U of A certification program, it might be getting them settled into Hospice care. I’ve held hands with people who are no longer here. Every day is different but the same. I think my job allows me to see humans when they’re most vulnerable. I try to find ways in which they learn to care for themselves, I hope I help them find their dignity.”
She coordinates and supervises different community and academic groups that provide services within Tucson House as well.
 Denise with her pug Conchita, which means ‘little shell’.
Another part of her role, one that surprised her, was the amount
of soothing she would need to do for established residents as
the new group came in. Like many throughout the city, residents of Tucson House were supportive of the unsheltered receiving aid
and housing, but it was challenging to acclimate to the newly placed residents. Denise has worked diligently to help iron out these issues and highlights that many of the services brought in to assist the formerly unhoused are extended to all residents, benefiting everyone.
In her free time, Denise paints and makes traditional crafts. She likes to hang out with her mom and her 13-year-old pug named Conchita. She has great besties that “keep me centered and cared for; shoutout to Nicole, my black-belt bestie, and Sean, my brother-from-another-mother in San Francisco!”
When asked what she would like Tucsonans to know about her job, Tucson House, Denise said, "this position was born by leadership that envisioned care and compassion. It was about putting aside judgment and approaching homelessness with a 'big picture' take on our community. I think what we’ve learned is that it’s still one person at a time, we have a bigger impact on one another as humans than we think. Donating clothes, towels, food, toilet paper, or even a nice letter to a newly housed person… Maybe hiring a person who is just getting back on their feet, all the little things make a huge difference in someone’s life."
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For every comic book enthusiast, the first time walking into a comic shop, is always a memorable experience. Ward 3 is fortunate enough to have two of the oldest comic book stores in town.
Fantasy Comics
A store solely devoted to selling comic books was opened in Tucson on March 15, 1977, by long time comic book fan Tom Struck. While other places sold comics like newsstands or convenience stores, this store was dedicated to only selling comic books and related merchandise, making it the first of its kind. Fantasy Comics, as it is known today, is one of the oldest comic book stores in the United States. Matt Sams, who used to work for Struck purchased the store from Tom in 2013 and is now the proud owner.
 Mural on the south wall of Fantasy Comics.
Fantasy Comics has three employees including Sam. When asked what the hardest thing for Fantasy Comics has been, Matt candidly stated, "for Tom it was the '90s when everything in the industry crashed. There was a whole year he didn’t draw a salary. For me it was trying to open a second store on the north side."
 Matt Sams owner of Fantasy Comics.
Free comic book day is an annual event created to promote comic book readership across the country. It falls on the first Saturday in May and usually coincides with a major comic book movie release.
It is among the most memorable times for Matt. He says that giving a child their first comic books and watching their faces beam makes it all worth it. He says that by far the best thing he's experienced as a store owner was the help from his customers during the pandemic. "They were amazing! They saved us. We survived because of them, they came to our rescue. People would come buy a graphic novel just to help us pay the rent. We survived thanks to our amazing customers."
Fantasy Comics is located at 2595 N 1st Ave, and is open from 10 to 6 seven days a week. Stop by and give them a visit.
R-Galaxy
After working as a minimum wage attendant at what was the movie theater at the old Pacua Yaqui village, Rick Keefe paid for a two-month trip to Guatemala to visit his wife's family by selling his comic book collections. The movie theatre was an easy job to walk away from and it lead to him opening his own store.
 The exterior of R-Galaxy.
Rick now owns what is the second oldest continuously operating comic shop in Tucson, R-Galaxy. The shop opened on November 30, 1993. This November is their 30th anniversary. The store is known around town as the place to go for anime and manga. Their selection goes beyond just comic books and includes movies and card games as well.
Rick employs a staff of three sales associates. By his own admission Keefe is semi-retired. On the day I visited, Will Ure was helping customers and tending the shop. The walls and displays are lined with rare-to-find toys and comic book memorabilia.
 R-Galaxy employee Will Ure.
The shop has been some what of an oasis for people not just in Ward 3 but all over Tucson to visit and escape reality into their favorite aspect of the comic book culture. Rick and his wife have enjoyed a rewarding, long-term relationship with the community. He is a native of Tucson and has been married to his wife for 33 years, with most of that time has been spent at the store together. He says "it's a place where we can help put smiles on people's faces every day." When asked what the most difficult thing his store has faced Rick answered, "let's just say that the last devastating series of Federal Reserve rate hikes led by Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan in 2002-2003 had a
20 year negative effect on our business, and I feel bad for business owners with this repeat debacle 20 years later."
He also said one of the best memories he's had was "one time I was lucky enough to be able to give a brand new teddy bear that we happened to have just purchased in a collection to a young lady and her husband after they didn't quite make it to the hospital in time, and she just gave birth to their child in her car just outside the front door of the store. The teddy bear put a smile on her face even while she was in pain from just giving birth.
R-Galaxy is located on the North East corner of Grant Rd. and Campbell Ave. at 2406 N. Campbell Ave., and is open from
11 to 8 Tuesday through Friday and 11 to 6 Saturday through Monday. Stop by and check out there collection of rare toys and collectibles.
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 Trooper /ID#A810472
Age: 2 years
Qualities:
Trooper is an aptly-named pup! This guy lived outdoors before coming to PACC and has endured several months in the shelter while keeping his manners and happy, friendly attitude. Trooper has done well with other dogs while at PACC and is well loved by volunteers!
Fee:
Harvest 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.
Come Adopt Your New Best Friend!
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Cabrini Neighborhood Association
Thu 9/7, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Vineyard City Church, 3150 E Fort Lowell Rd
Mountain First Neighborhood Association
Saturday 9/9, 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Mitchell Park, 1100 E Mitchell St.
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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Slow Down... And Get Your Yard Sign!
The Ward 3 office has free yard signs available as part of the Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM)'s SLOW DOWN Program, which is designed to inform drivers that they're traveling on a 25 mph neighborhood street and to remind them that slowing down saves lives.
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.
Public Art Design Meeting August 30th!
Prince Food Pantry 7-8:30 AM The first Friday of Every Month
Free After School Drop-In Program Beginning August 7
 Townhall for Public Education on September 9
¡Agua es Vida! Celebration of Water in the Desert and Short Film Showcase on September 16
 Sustainable Tucson, Watershed Management Group, and The Loft Cinema announce “¡Agua es Vida! Celebration of Water in the Desert” - a day of films and free activities intended to help residents of Southern Arizona learn more about our water challenges and solutions we can implement in our communities.
Schedule of events:
8-11 a.m.: Family Saturday at Watershed Management Group’s Living Lab and Learning Center (1137 N. Dodge Blvd.). Learn how to make your own rainwater harvesting basin and take home a free build-your-own-basin kit.
11:30 a.m.: Tour WMG’s Living Lab and Learning Center to see how you can make the most of your water at home.
2 p.m.: ¡Agua es Vida! Short Film Showcase at The Loft Cinema (3233 E. Speedway Blvd.). Enjoy documentaries that highlight innovative solutions to our water issues and celebrate those who are working for water security and the health of our rivers. Southwest Troubadour Ted Ramirez will kick off the event with a mini-concert.
Selected films (full list on Loft website)
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Andrew Brown’s “Free Water” features local water champion Brad Lancaster sharing how we can take advantage of a largely untapped source of water: the rain that falls on our streets and yards.
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Mike Foster’s “Reintroduction of Beavers in the San Pedro” demonstrates how beaver dams can help restore the watershed by slowing down and spreading the water so it sinks in.
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Dr. Laura M. Norman’s “Can Rock Dams Reverse Climate Change?” shares the story of how ranch owners Valer and Josiah Clark installed over a thousand rock dams and created a lush riparian habitat on their ranch using only the land’s natural rainfall. Valer Clark will be present at the screening.
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Leslie Ann Epperson’s “Prayer Run for the Santa Ritas” follows Marlinda Francisco on her protest run to protect the land and water on the Tohono O’odham reservation.
After the short film program, some of the filmmakers and water experts will be on hand to answer questions.
For more information and how to register for free WMG events, go to https://sustainabletucson.org/agua-es-vida/
Film tickets are available at regular admission prices from The Loft Cinema: https://loftcinema.org/film/agua-es-vida-short-film-showcase
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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New Blue Lights Aimed at Reducing Red Light Running
 The City of Tucson's Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM) and the Tucson Police Department are partnering to install blue lights on top of traffic signals at certain intersections within the City of Tucson. These lights will illuminate when the red light is active, allowing officers to observe red light runners from a safe distance. The blue lights are not cameras and do not take pictures. In other communities, these lights have been shown to reduce the frequency of crashes when motorists understand the presence of the blue lights allow enforcement to take place from a distance, and the officer may not be seen. The first intersection scheduled to receive a blue light will be at Grant Road and Craycroft Road, which was selected based on the historically high frequency of left-turn collisions and the amount of heavy travel in the area.
Watch a video about the blue lights
Teacher Appreciation Night at the Desert Museum August 26
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!
Click to edit this placeholder text.
 
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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