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I read the Arizona Daily Star every day. I don’t want to miss the
in-depth reporting of Tony Davis on water and Nicole Ludden on local government. I also read the opinion pieces and letters to the editor with great interest. But I remember a time when Tucson had robust newspapers to keep us informed, including evening and weekly papers that had good reporting. To fill in the gap, I’ve turned to three local online news services:
Tucson Sentinel https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/
Arizona Luminaria https://azluminaria.org/
Tucson Agenda https://tucsonagenda.substack.com/
All three are independent and staffed by veteran local journalists. The first two are nonprofit. I recommend all three! Please check them out and if you find they are useful, please give them your support.
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Chief Operating Officer Caroline Nelson and Program Support Associate Heather Moreno at the CIC offices, ready to help!
A big congratulations to Community Investment Corporation (CIC) in celebrating the second anniversary of their BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Color) Community Managed Loan Program! Our office met with CIC Executive Director Danny Knee and Chief Operating Officer Caroline Nelson, as well as Keneshia Raymond from Startup Tucson a few weeks ago to learn more about the unique loan program and the non-profit dedicated to economic development. The BIPOC Loan Fund program is in partnership with BLAX Friday and StartUp Tucson.
BLAX Friday is a directory and app highlighting Black owned businesses in Arizona. Startup Tucson is a local organization that supports local small businesses as they get going.
The BIPOC Loan Program came about from “staff wanting to take concrete and tangible action in the wake of 2020 and ongoing national tragedies and calls for racial equity and justice.” Instead of traditional credit scores, assets, or other collateral to determine loan eligibility, this model allows an all BIPOC, Black Indigenous, people of color, board to grant loans ranging from $500 - $10,000 to BIPOC small business owners based on their character and business model. They are celebrating over 50 loans and $40,000+ in funding to date.
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts and More in the shopping plaza at Campbell and Glenn.
We were pleased to learn that seven businesses in Ward 3 had received this unique loan. In the Albertsons plaza at Campbell and Glenn is Big Frog Custom Tshirts and More, owned by Yolanda Fernandez-Carr. Regal Fierce Media also received a loan through the program, Katrina Calderon is the CEO of the media company and advertising agency. Academy on Demand founder Laura Oldaker also made good use of the funds for her caregiving training program.
Community Investment Corporation's offices at 2033 E. Grant Road.
CIC offices are located on Grant just east of the Ward 3 office and they have been serving Pima County and the surrounding area since 1996. In addition to the BIPOC loan program, they offer traditional lending for small businesses and schools, down-payment assistance, eviction prevention, and mortgage credit certification.
To learn more about Community Investment Corporation please visit: https://cictucson.org/
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This week the Ward 3 office, along with many of our constituents, were shocked and saddened to see that over 50 trees were cut down in the Navajo Wash just south of Fort Lowell Road and just west of Mountain Avenue. This destruction of the green space was not executed or authorized by the city or any official agency, and the responsible parties are not known at this time.
Trees cut down illegally at Navajo Wash.
Members of our office became aware of the clearing on Sunday, and started getting questions from constituents about it Monday morning. On Tuesday, Steven Addison, from the City Manager’s Office, did an assessment of what was lost, in terms of the number, size, and type of trees. According to his inventory, 54 trees were cut down to a stump. This does not include some small shrubs that were also cleared, along with a few trees that were only partially cut.
More cut down trees at Navajo Wash.
Of the 54 trees that were cut down, 42 were mesquites ranging from small to large. 27 of the mesquites were catalogued as medium size, with 14 of them being small, and 1 being quite large. The other 12 trees cut down were palo verdes, half of them being relatively small and the other half being medium sized trees. The removed trees were stacked into two very large piles alongside wash.
With our city’s commitment to fighting climate change and heat island effect, every tree that is needlessly removed is a loss to our community. Private individuals do not have the authority to remove trees from public land. If you have any information about the removal of the trees, please contact the ward 3 office at: ward3@tucsonaz.gov
Trees cut to a stump at Navajo Wash.
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About a year ago, Ward 3 staff asked our City facilities to remove some asphalt from the southeast corner of the Ward 3 parking lot. At the time, this paved area consisted of two parking spots and a triangle-shaped “dead space."
A hardy volunteer desert willow tree was growing out of a crack in the asphalt.
The desert willow growing through a crack in the asphalt.
Apparently, for years, the willow had been cut to the ground, but not killed or removed. Admiring the tenacity and the beauty of the native tree, the Ward 3 team decided to turn the unused corner parking spaces into a rain garden. The asphalt was removed, the area was filled with soil, and we reached out to Watershed Management Group to help plan a Build Your Own Basin (BYOB) event on Saturday September 23rd.
Asphalt removal in process.
Please help us as we bring a little life back to these former parking spots. WMG is hosting a hands-on community workshop where you can learn the how to “plant the rain” to support native shade trees and understory plants that provide food and shelter for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.
And if you already how to plant rainwater harvesting basins, it’s still a great opportunity to meet new people and spend some time getting your hands dirty shaping basins, planting, and spreading mulch. Plus, all participants are invited to take home a Build Your Own Basin (BYOB) kit including a 1-gallon native shade tree, a native bunch grass, a shrub, a bag of mulch, and WMG's BYOB Zine.
Our hardy desert willow in bloom.
If you think that that sounds like a nice way to spend a few hours next Saturday (9/23), please register here: https://watershedmg.org/event/community-workshop-ward-3-rain-garden-retrofit. The workshop runs from 8:00 am - 11:30 am, and I look forward to seeing you there!
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ANGELO /ID#A810493
Age: 1 year
Qualities:
This lovable boy is angelic as his name suggests. Angelo thrives on human companionship and is quick to learn new commands and tricks. He loves pets, treats and belly rubs. A family he previously lived with says he’s an ideal choice for homes with kids.
Fee:
Angelo 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.
National Adoption Weekend this Friday through Sunday!
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Samos Neighborhood Association
Tuesday 9/19, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
1609 E. Spring St.
For details, call Bam 520-850-7054.
Samos Neighborhood Potluck
Saturday, Sept. 23, 5:30 pm
Samos Wash, 1600 block of Spring.
For more info, Bam 520-850-7054.
Miracle Manor Neighborhood Association
Wednesday 9/20, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Good News Church, 701 W Glenn St.
Mountain View Neighborhood Association
Thursday 9/21, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Habitat For Humanity, 3501 N. Mountain Ave
Flowing Wells Neighborhood Association
Thursday 9/21, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W Ruthrauff Rd.
Amphi Neighborhood Association
Thursday 9/21, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Woods Memorial Library, 3455 N 1st Ave.
Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association
Wednesday 9/27, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Ward 3 Community Rm.1510 E. Grant Rd.
Doolen/Fruitvale Neighborhood Association
Saturday 9/30, 8:30 – 9:30 am
Sparkman Butterfly Garden, 2645 N Sparkman
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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Come Help Us Build a Rain Garden on September 23!
Mansfield Pool Will Stay Open Weekends Through the End of September! Hours are Noon to 4 pm
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.
Come to the Ward 3 Office and Drop Off Supplies for Homeless Outreach in Our Donation Box!
Prince Food Pantry 7-8:30 AM the First Friday of Every Month
Free After School Drop-In Program Beginning August 7
Dodge Flower Neighborhood Cleanup Saturday, September 16
¡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
Fall Showcase at La Madera Park on September 23
Resource Fair September 23
Splash Pad Bash at Balboa Park on September 24
Tennant Empowerment Workshop September 28
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 September
Cyclovia Tucson October 29 at 9:00 am
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Park(ing) Day 2023 Friday, September 15
from 9:00AM-1:00PM 100 N Stone Ave
Did you know the City of Tucson has a program to remove toxic lead paint from older homes? If you know of a family who rents or owns a home built before 1978 and meets the requirements above, they may be eligible to have lead paint removal.
Tucson Climate Strike! on September 15 and 16
Motel Drive Film Screening at The Loft on September 24th
Town Hall Series With District 1 Supervisor Rex Scott Beginning September 26.
The Sonoran Institute Presents: Dragonfly Day on the Santa Cruz River Saturday, September 30
No Kill Pima County is offer low cost pet resources
Tucson Meet Yourself October 13-15
Tucson Norte Sur Open Houses
 
Sustainable Tucson Too Good To Waste Challenge
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
Get Paid to Get Lifeguard Certified!
Tucson Parks and Recreation is on the lookout for lifeguards to keep our pools safe and exciting all year round! Whether you're a water enthusiast or looking for a cool part-time gig, this could be your perfect fit.
You don't need a boatload of experience to join the team - just a passion for aquatics and a minimum age of 15. Pay starts at $16.75 per hour. And here's the best part: the City has your back! They're offering to cover the cost of your Lifeguard Certification through their certification path. Dive into the lifeguard class, where you'll fine-tune your skills and make a splash in an intense, fast-paced course.
If you've got some serious swim skills and the urge to be a local hero, this is your time to shine. Get all the details and sign up for the swim test via the links below. Your aquatic adventure starts now!
Lifeguard information
Swim test registration
Watch a video about lifeguards
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
Keep in touch with us on social media!
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