|
|
I’m regularly having coffee with Ward 3 residents who applied earlier in the Spring (we’ll have another round in the Fall). Here are some notes from three great conversations.
 Angela Hughes and Vice Mayor Dahl in the courtyard at Raging Sage.
Angela Hughes. Angela met me at Raging Sage because she read about that coffee shop in a previous Ward 3 newsletter. She moved to Tucson just 6 years ago from her hometown of Seattle. Living in Hedrick Acres, Angela finds that as an avid bicyclist she can mostly get around town without a car (though she occasionally borrows her partner’s). We talked about two concerns. She was disappointed when the city closed its drop-off recycling center at Mansfield Park (leaving only glass pick-up) because her apartment complex does not provide recycling pick up. I explained that the center was costly, most items dropped off couldn’t be recycled, it annoyed neighbors and park visitors with blowing trash, and that it was mostly used by commercial companies and out-of-city residents, and not Tucson apartment dwellers for which it was established. But Angela was pleased to learn that there is still an operating recycling within reach at the Ward 6 office. In response to her observations of too many unsavory drug deals happening along the Huckelberry Loop, I let her know that while the Loop is a Pima County responsibility I described our successful pilot project using police on bike patrols near the loop between Stone and First. Ward 3 also hosted a meeting with everyone concerned about that area, including Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher, City Manager Mike Ortega, and police representatives to talk about more cooperation at this hot spot.
 Maureen Pollack and Vice Mayor Dahl in her home.
Maureen Pollack. We met in her home in Richland Heights East neighborhood because she is very fussy about the taste and temperature of the coffee she drinks –- and her coffee hit the spot! With an undergraduate degree in Fine Arts and a doctorate in law, Maureen has had an interesting career as a general contractor and home builder in New Mexico and a professor at New Mexico State University’s Dona Ana College. She currently maintains real estate broker licenses in Arizona, Texas, and California and primarily works providing plan review and due diligence for tax equity investors and financial lenders for affordable housing projects. She was president, and now is secretary, of her neighborhood association. Our conversation was about issues in her neighborhood including maintaining the quality of life outlined in the objectives of the Richland Heights East Neighborhood Plan, coupled with existing City Codes as they pertain to residentially zoned parcels.
 Trish Heisdorffer and Vice Mayor Dahl at Ren Coffeehouse.
Trish Heisdorffer. Another bicycle enthusiast, Trish met me at Ren Coffeehouse, conveniently located close to the Huckelberry Loop in St. Philip’s Plaza (4300 N. Campbell Avenue). Close to retirement, she does software development with a consulting firm whose staff includes 60% Ukrainians. Trish lives in the Campus Farms neighborhood. For years she has worked with Campus Farm neighbors, Ward 3, and The City’s Transportation and Mobility Department to install speed tables on Mountain Avenue north of Prince and use other traffic calming strategies to make that road safer. Her work there continues and is informed by the data she collects and the lessons she has learned (for instance, speed tables should not be too far apart to discourage drivers from gunning the engine to speed up and then quickly braking before the next one).
|
|
|
Vice Mayor Dahl and I recently toured the Fox Theatre in downtown Tucson and learned about their plans for expansion. I was reminded of just how special and unique that space truly is. We met with Executive Director Bonnie Schock and Head of Donor Engagement Laura Alexander.
 Vice Mayor Kevin Dahl in the seat reported to be John Wayne’s favorite seat when he attended the theater.
The Fox Tucson Theatre opened in1930 as a dual vaudeville/movie house. From the Fox’s website: “Opening night, April 11, 1930, proved to be the biggest party the small community of Tucson had ever seen. With Congress Street closed and waxed for dancing, four live bands, a live radio broadcast and free trolley rides downtown, the party was not-to-be-missed.” The only known example of ‘Southwestern Art Deco,’ the Fox’s architecture, design, and color palette are breathtaking.
 The only known example of ‘Southwestern Art Deco’.
The Fox has been through one massive restoration, after closing in 1974 and sitting empty for over 25 years. In the late 1990s a group of Tucsonans banded together to save the theater from demolition and endeavored to restore it to its full glory, both as a physical space and an integral part of our local social fabric.
 Laura Alexander, Vice Mayor Dahl, and Executive Director Bonnie Schock.
As part of our tour, Laura and Bonnie walked us over to their newly acquired buildings on the east side of the Fox and shared the vision for expansion of the theater into a Performing Arts Center. The future Fox Tucson Theatre and Performing Arts Center would include additional performance spaces, including a rooftop space, a redesigned entrance off Stone as opposed to Congress, more opportunities for smaller local groups, and better integration of food and beverage options. To learn more, head over to: foxtucson.com/the-future-is-right-around-the-corner.
We recently met with the City’s Storm to Shade team for an update. Storm to Shade (S2S) is the City of Tucson's Green Stormwater Infrastructure program. S2S installs new Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) on public property throughout Tucson and maintains new and (select) existing GSI.
The program launched in January of 2021 and is funded by a small charge on all Tucson Water customers who live in the City.
 Ward 3 Council Aide Marlene Avelino, Ward 3 Chief of Staff Katie Bolger, Jon Choi, Storm to Shade Manager Blue Baldwin, Vice Mayor Kevin Dahl, and James MacAdam.
The Ward 3 office works closely with the S2S team to prioritize low-income neighborhoods that have little to no tree canopy or vegetation. Planting trees in inner city neighborhoods surrounded by concrete and asphalt is expensive, but we know that it is a critical investment for these communities. Tree canopy and vegetation can lower the temperature in urban areas from 11-18 degrees. This translates into lower cooling costs for residents and a smaller carbon footprint by reducing energy demands.
 Storm to Shade logo designating GSI maintained by S2S.
Part of our discussion with the team centered on how we can increase capacity and funding opportunities to ramp up the “greening” of our Sonoran Desert City.
New projects in Ward 3 are coming to the Ninth Avenue Bike Boulevard, the Blacklidge Bike Boulevard, the intersection of 11th and Flores, and Linden Street. We look forward to the completion of our first projects and championing and growing the program... stay tuned!
|
|
 ELLIS /ID# A821656
Age: 2 years
Qualities:
Meet Ellis! This adorable, compact little guy was surrendered to PACC when his owner could no longer care for him. Ellis was housebroken and did well with kids and other dogs with his previous family, who described him as a "very loving dog." At the shelter, he has been friendly with staff and volunteers. He'd like to meet any potential doggy roommates before heading home!
Fee:
Ellis 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 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.
|
|
Keeling Neighborhood Party Sunday, April 28 from 12-3 pm
Community Garden Plots Available
The 2024 Operating Support Grant for Organizations is now OPEN
 The Arts Foundation will steward local, regional and federal funds to complement a 3-year initiative to equitably rebuild arts economies in the borderlands and strengthen civic participation. Operating Support Grants will invest in Southern Arizona’s arts economy to1) Restore/create jobs and2) Incentivize arts & civic engagement.
The grant program is open to 501(c)3 Arts Organizations located within the Arts Foundation’s service area, which includes counties and Tribal Nations that reside between the southern edges of the Gila River to the US-Mexico international border. *Fiscally sponsored organizations residing within Pima County may apply.
Application Deadline: Thursday, May 9th, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Arizona Time
INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR
Join the Arts Foundation Grants Team for a virtual webinar.
Monday, April 22, 1:00-2:30pm
2024 OS Grant for Organizations is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Tucson, and Pima County.
Pima County Interfaith Civic Academies on Voting Calendar of Events
Tucson Home Sharing May 2024 Event Calendar
Ready, Set, REC! in April & May
 
Lend a Hand Senior Assistance Volunteer Opportunity
Smartscape Taller en Español 9 de Abril al 9 de Mayo
Let's go Solar Co-Op event April 30 at 6-7:30 pm at Barrio Brewing
Pima College Adult Basic Education is looking for Volunteers
Valley of the Moon Free First Saturday: May 4, 6-8 pm
The veil is thin between our world and the land of the Fae on Beltane, making it a wonderful opportunity to connect with all manner of magical creatures at Valley of the Moon, and to be your own magical self! Gather round the May Pole, make your own tiny May Pole, enjoy the wonder of The Sonoran Desert Fairy Guild as they delight us with Bubble Fairies and Fire Fairies, and ultimately celebrate the returning of the Light with us.
Thrive in the 05 Spring Resource Fair on Saturday May 4th from 10 am -12 pm
Armory Artisan Market Saturday, May 11 from 10 am to 2 pm
Housing Convening Part II Tuesday May 14
Keeling Desert Park Survey
 Encuesta de Keeling Desert Park
Armory Park Artisan Market Saturday May 11 from 10 am - 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.
Prevent Lead Exposure in Your Home
Programa de Control de Peligros de Pintura a Base de Plomo
|
|
|
|
|
