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 A happy client getting a ride.
The nonprofit Lend A Hand is a wonderful organization that serves seniors, helping them stay in their homes, in 12 neighborhoods in Ward 3.
They are always looking for volunteers to help with their mission, but their need is critical now for new folks willing to help with transportation.
Can you help?
 Lend A Hand volunteers and staff.
It would involve using your car to help drive senior clients to medical appointments, drug stores and grocery shopping, as well as the bank, the post office, personal errands, and other shopping.
More details: Most driving takes place between 8 am and 5 pm on weekdays, and an average trip takes about 2 hours. Drivers can choose to be reimbursed for their mileage. Driving volunteers use a computer/phone app to see rides that have been requested and can decide when they want to drive and how often. So, your volunteer work can fit into your schedule and can vary from week to week. Even taking one or two rides a week would help tremendously.
 Lend A Hand Services for Seniors car out in the community.
Lend A Hand helps seniors in other ways: delivery of fresh produce, opportunities to socialize with each other, and installation of grab bars and ramps. The 12 neighborhoods in the program are: Mountain/First, Hedrick Acres, Samos, Limberlost, Campus Farm, Winterhaven, Jefferson Park, RillitoBend, Mt View, Richland Heights East & West, and Campbell/Grant.
For more details or to sign up to help, email https://www.lahseniorhelp.org/
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 Vice Mayor Kevin Dahl and Director of Housing and Community Development Ann Chaneka.
Ann Chanecka is originally from Binghamton, New York. She arrived in Tucson in 2006 to attend the U of A and fell in love with Tucson, so she never left. She received a Masters in Public Administration with a focus on local government and non profit management. Ann interned for the City of Tucson during graduate school but the recession hit and they weren’t hiring. She was hired on at PAG (Pima Association of Governments) and returned to the City in 2012 as the Transportation Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator. During her time in the City’s transportation department, she realized that a lot of transportation issues were intersecting with other issues such as changing neighborhoods, housing challenges and gentrification. In 2020 when the COVID pandemic hit, there was additional federal funding available for housing and homeless services, and Ann was asked by the City Manager to take a temporary assignment in the Housing and Community Development Department to assist.
 Ann and her bicycle outside of the City of Tucson Complex on Bonita Ave.
During this time, Ann became a passionate and dedicated advocate for housing. "Tucson, a house for everyone" she says is the HCD motto. The things that make her excited about her role is the ability to work on the critically important issue of housing affordability, supporting the growing unhoused population and the amazing staff she works with.
 Ann (right) with her niece on Wasson Peak in the Tucson Mountains.
When not working, Ann loves bicycling, camping, hiking and listening to local music.
The housing crisis is not slowing down, and nationally homelessness is up 12%. The City’s Director of Housing and Community Development is an important role and provides vital services to our community. Vice Mayor Dahl and his team are thrilled to have Ann in this leadership role!
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 Ignacio Garcia's latest mural "La Guitarrista" downtown on the Rialto building..
Last Saturday, a stunning new mural was welcomed downtown on the Rialto building by one of Tucson’s most prominent muralists: Ignacio Garcia’s latest creation La Guitarrista took the place of one of his older murals; Bill Walton riding a jackalope.
On a smaller scale and closer to home in Ward 3 is another piece of Ignacio’s work.
On the corner of Vine Ave. and Waverly St. is another recent mural; a brightly colored depiction of desert pollinators. I ran into Ignacio as he was putting his final touches on this piece. I was impressed by the striking beauty of the mural in the middle of Jefferson Park Historic District and asked him how this piece of public art came to be. I was surprised to learn that this was a private commission.
 Muralist Igancio Garcia with his mural on Vine Ave. "Desert Pollinators"
In a very romantic gesture, the patrons of this mural wanted to have something on their home to commemorate their recent nuptials. Michael Heily and Erin Heily said "I do" and in lieu of a wedding registry, they collected donations to give to a good cause and to fund a public piece of art. They received gifts for both, but Michael admits that they still had to pay out of pocket for the mural as it was not completely crowdfunded. He and his wife are very environmentally minded and wanted a mural that would reflect their love for the environment.
 Michael Heily and Erin Heily in front of the mural they commissioned Igancio Garcia to paint.
Michael has been a long-time fan of Ignacio's art and reached out to him on Instagram to see if he was interested, and to his surprise, the artist was excited to assist. Michael and Ignacio took a trip to the Tucson Botanical Gardens, taking notes and studying what plants and pollinators they wanted to depict. They both agreed that it was of utmost importance to have the species be painted biologically accurate, and so they are.
 "Desert Pollinators" with the reflective Scorpion on the right that Igancio included as seen in the dark.
But there is more! Ignacio included an Easter egg in the form of a highly reflective scorpion in the piece. Ignacio used reflective paint, making it highly visible at night. If you happen to drive or walk by the neighborhood at night and point your lights at the painting you will find the scorpion lights up with an unexpected glow. He also alluded to there being more around town in the future, so keep an eye out for that.
For more Ignacio Garcia art check out his Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ignacio_garcia_art/.
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 Winter rain water draining from the alley into the Ward 3 rain garden .
Have you ever wanted to punch a hole in the wall? How about cutting a curb? The recent lovely and much needed winter rains have provided another opportunity to illustrate how simple the concept of water harvesting is. Before that hole in the wall (which borders the south side of the Ward 3 parking lot), rain water would run down the alley west towards Vine Avenue where it would pool on the asphalt and gradually wear away the pavement.
 A depiction of green stormwater infrastructure, courtesy of Storm To Shade.
The simple technique of redirecting that water now benefits our native and drought tolerant plants and trees by giving them an even deeper soaking than they would have gotten from the rain that falls on the basin. This extra deep watering sends the roots further into the ground making the plants more resilient. For more information how you to can harvest this free and valuable resource please check out the Storm to Shade website here https://climateaction.tucsonaz.gov/pages/gsi
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 FENNEC/ID# A827930
Age:11 months
Qualities:
If you've seen pictures of Fennec foxes with their comically oversized ears, then you know where the inspiration for this pup's name came from! Fennec is a young, bouncy boy full of puppy enthusiasm. He adores people and has already developed the best pleading puppy eyes! Fennec has done well with other dogs while at PACC, too. This guy is going to make a wonderful companion!
Fee:
Fennec 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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The next Mayor and Council Meeting will be on
Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
The agenda and background materials are available here:
Mayor and Council Meeting Agendas. |
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Samos Neighborhood Association
Tuesday 2/20, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
1609 E. Spring 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.
In observance of President's Day our office will be closed Monday February 19, 2024.
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Campus Farms Neighborhood Participatory Design Event February 24 at 10am
$5000 Scholarship Opportunity for High School Seniors
Tucson Parks and Recreation will host a meeting on Saturday, Feb. 17, 10-11 a.m. at McCormick Park, 2950 N. Columbus Blvd.
 At ramada #1, Parks and Rec will present the final concept plan for the park. The community will be able to talk with staff about the final plan and cost estimates.
To view the previous survey responses and see the concept plan, visit the project website here (https://bit.ly/mccormickpark).
Call to Artists! Sugarhill is looking for submissions of historic photos to be placed on vinyl banners along Stone Ave.
 We’re thrilled to announce our Sugar Hill Call for Participation, and we want YOU to be a part of it.
Call for Photos: Do you have recent or historic photos of the Sugar Hill neighborhood or its wonderful community members? We invite you to share your snapshots with us as we celebrate the rich history and vibrant life of Sugar Hill !
Some examples of photos include, but are not limited to, a historical event, a landmark, a personal journey, a cultural presence, or a significant person.
Tucson Water is testing their new Home Water Works Calculator
https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Water/Conservation/DIY-Water-Audits to sign up for this test program. This opportunity is open to the first 2,000 customers who opt-in.
Lend a Hand Senior Assistance Volunteer Opportunity
St. Francis Soup Patrol Monday- Friday at 5pm
 St. Francis Shelter Community has partnered with Caridad Kitchens to provide Ward 3 unhoused with hot soup and Hot Cocoa. We serve Monday thru Friday starting at 5 pm until soup is gone. Caridad Kitchen has done a fantastic job with providing delicious, hearty and nutritious soup. We are pleased serve from Salvation Army at 218 E Prince Rd. This is their first go with soup patrol and so far things are going well. They also have blankets, cold weather items to hand out based on various donations St. Francis Shelter Community receives.
If you'd like to volunteer please reach out to Shawn Milligan, Director of Operations at 520-461-4943.
Prince Food Pantry 7-8:30 am the First Friday of Every Month
Yoga in the Garden Every Wednesday at 2 pm
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 January
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Open House for the Therapeutic Rec Center taking place on February 29 from 4-6 pm.
The Pima County Health Department (PCHD) is in the beginning stages of surveying for their 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA)
By actively participating in the survey, you contribute to ensuring that the CHNA better reflects the health priorities of Pima County. Kindly take and share the survey before it closes on February 28th.
El Departamento de Salud del Condado de Pima (PCHD) se encuentra en las etapas iniciales de la encuesta para su Evaluación de Necesidades de Salud Comunitaria (CHNA) de 2024.
Al participar en la encuesta, usted contribuye a garantizar que la CHNA refleje mejor las prioridades de salud del condado de Pima. Por favor responda y comparta la encuesta antes del 28 de febrero.
Paul Cunningham's Afterschool Wednesday Hoops for Kids Starting January 24 from 3-5 pm at Jesse Owens Park
Almost 4 million middle schoolers in the US are left unsupervised between 3 pm and 6 pm.
TUSD kids have an extra hour of unsupervised time because Wednesday is early out day. Every Wednesday during the school year, Ward 2 hosts Wednesday afternoon hoops at the covered court at Jesse Owens park. Each week, members of the Tucson Buckets (Tucson's semi-pro ABA team) join TUSD middle schoolers for a mini clinic that focuses on technical basketball and having fun. Ward 2 provides drinks and snacks and we just bought a portable electronic scoreboard!
Prevent Lead Exposure in Your Home
Programa de Control de Peligros de Pintura a Base de Plomo
Home Repair Program for Low income Homeowners
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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