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Welcome back, Karin!
 Vice Mayor Dahl and Council Member Karin Uhlich at last Tuesday's Mayor and Council meeting.
Twelve Ward 6 residents applied to replace Council Member Steve Kozachik, who recently resigned to work for Pima County. I read cover letters and resumes closely, watched The League of Women Voters candidates’ forum, and took into account the nearly 100 emails, letters, and calls I received from applicant supporters. Mayor and Council used a ranked choice voting system to select the four finalists -- Ted Prezelski, Vince Rabago, Pamela Powers, and Karin Uhlich -- any of whom would serve on the Council well (as would most of the other applicants). A friend commented, “you are facing an embarrassment of riches.” Ultimately, the unanimous vote was for Karin Uhlich. Karin has an incredible amount experience and will be able to jump right in. She was sworn in on Monday so she could participate in Tuesday’s council meetings. Karin was elected three times to the Ward 3 seat (where she was my Council Member) and then returned to fill out the Ward 3 term when Paul Durham resigned. She has since moved to Ward 6. She told us she will leave her current job as director of housing and health services for Arizona Complete Health, which she has held since 2015, to serve full-time with the City. I look forward to serving with and learning from her.
Handling Heat
Tucson is at the forefront of the Climate Crisis, as was made clear last summer – the hottest summer on record. At Tuesday’s Mayor and Council meeting, I made two motions to advance the City’s efforts to deal with increasingly hot summers due to climate change. The first resolution designated the second week in May as Heat Season Awareness Week and noted that our Chief Resiliency Officer Fatima Luna is developing guidelines and ordinances to ensure heat protections for Tucson workers and City contractors. The second motion directed Mayor and City Manager to support federal rulemaking to amend the Federal Emergency Management Administration’s rules to include extreme heat (and extreme wildfire smoke) within the definition of “major disasters” under the Strafford Act.
Thrive In the ’05 Resource Fair
 Vice Mayor Kevin Dahl at the Thrive in the 05 Spring Fair visiting with Amy with First Things First. Council Aide Marlene Avelino has her back towards the camera and is sporting a Ward 3 shirt.
You can watch a video of last Saturday’s Spring Resouce Fair. Neighbors in Ward 3 gathered in Esquer Park to enjoy fun, food, and learn about available resources. We celebrated neighborhood improvement projects, also known as Action Activities, which included public art and park improvements. Thrive in the 05 is a community revitalization initiative focused on a 2.3-square-mile stretch in the Oracle Road and Miracle Mile area. Last July, the City of Tucson was selected to receive a $50 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Watch the video
Thrive in the 05 Action Activities
Thrive in the 05
Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant
Congrats University of Arizona Graduates!
 Tonight (May 10) about 8,000 students will receive degrees during the University of Arizona’s graduation ceremony at Arizona Stadium, free to the public (with free parking). More details, https://commencement.arizona.edu/. The pre-show starts at 6:30 pm and the 90-minute ceremony starts at 7:30 pm. This year’s commencement speaker is UA Alumnus and actor (Young Sheldon) Craig T. Nelson. Congratulations to all! #BearDownGrad #WildcatForLife
Happy Mother's Day!
I am grateful and forever indebted to my birth mother, Grace Dahl, who died too soon when I was just 21, and my stepmom, Jeannine Dahl, who thankfully took on my Dad and me, and grew a blended family that has bonded through many wonderful times and some other times of great stress.
 Grace Dahl in circle at family gathering.
From a working-class English family, Grace overflowed with such kindness and friendliness that our house was always the hub for all the homemakers and kids in my neighborhood. I experienced such incredible love and guidance from this remarkable woman.
 Newspaper photo of Colonel Jeannine Dahl returning from deployment in Desert Storm.
Colonel Jeannine Dahl is another genial host and kind soul, with a midwestern sensibility and a ready smile. One of the stressful times for my family was when her Army Reserve medical unit was called up to serve overseas at Desert Storm. A lifelong nurse who eventually taught it at ASU, Jeannine has all the smarts and compassion that nurses usually have.
 Bam Miller on the campaign trail
On Mother’s Day I also recognize the mother of my son (though he must buy his own presents for her now), Bam Miller. We have been loving partners for more decades than either of us care to admit. I could not continue to do my work without her support and love. Now retired after a long career as a special education teacher in the Tucson Unified School District, Bam is still busy as a neighborhood leader and caring friend to many.
Many thanks to these, and every mother, as we celebrate this important holiday.
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In January of this year, the Arts Foundation of Southern Arizona in partnership with the Thrive in the 05 initiative received a $10,000 dollar grant for a public arts project in the Sugar Hill Neighborhood. The project called for people to submit current or historic photos of the neighborhood. The winners have been picked, and the banners have been designed and installed.
 One of the banner designs featuring the Sugar Hill water tower from by artist Peniel Macias.
The banners now adorn the western border of the Historic Sugar Hill Neighborhood on Stone Ave. (on the east side of the road) between Drachman St. and Grant Rd. Local artist Peniel Macias has helped design them along with a group of current and former residents of Sugar Hill.
 A banner on the corner of Elm St. and Stone Ave. featuring local musician Jack Anderson.
There are 21 double-sided banners that tell the story of one of Tucson's few historic black neighborhoods. The photos run the gamut from historical figures such as Dr. Floyd Thompson, Tucson's first black dentist (who had his office on the first floor of the Tucson House), to current Sugarhill Neighborhood Association President and musician Jack Anderson. The colorful pieces mix art with local stories and honor the splendid legacy of Sugar Hill. Each banner is a true celebration of this vibrant community's rich history, and this project was meant to serve as creative placemaking for the neighborhood.
 A few more designs. The top Banner features Dr. Floyd Thompson. The bottom Features the historic Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.
Ward 3 staff recently joined the Housing and Community Development Department on a tour of some of Tucson’s public housing locations to give us a better idea of what properties the City owns and how they are utilized.
 El Milagro on Oracle in the process of being built.
Our first stop was the Milagro, which is currently under construction. This site includes what was formerly the No-Tel Motel, which is being renovated along with another historic motel along with an empty lot between the two where a brand new apartment building is being built. All together, this project will create 63 new units of housing, 48 of which are in the new building in the middle.
When we visited, we learned that the project was about 40% done, and there were about 60 people on site working throughout the day. Building the new apartment complex is relatively straightforward, but renovating the old motels was full of surprises and has to be done very carefully in order to maintain the historical structures.
 Vice Mayor Kevin Dahl and Ann Chanecka, director of Housing and Community Development inside the Milagro construction project.
After the Milagro, we also visited some homes in the City’s El Portal portfolio. El Portal homes include single family homes that are owned by our Housing Department, which are not federally subsidized. The term “public housing” generally refers to federally owned or federally funded housing, which can be confusing since one would assume that a City-owned property is still public. But that’s not what the term means in the housing industry. Importantly, these homes that the City owns without federal subsidies are not subject to the same regulations that accompany public housing proper.
Our Housing and Community Development Department is always in the process of stretching all of the funding it has at its disposal to create the most housing for the most people. In this housing crisis, one solution HCD is considering is converting some of the single family homes into opportunities for home ownership for low-income families, rather than the City retaining ownership. And the money produced by the sale of single family homes would help the City direct more of that money toward larger projects that house more people for the amount of money we have at our disposal.
 Ward 3 Council Aide C.J. Boyd, Vice Mayor Kevin Dahl, Council Aide Marlene Avelino, and Community Liaison Mike Edmonds.
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 TOGO /ID# A833185
Age: 9 years
Qualities:
Handsome Togo is a sensitive senior who arrived at PACC as a stray back in March. He was initially pretty spooked by the shelter environment but has shown so much courage and progress with the help of our volunteers! Togo is an affectionate, gentle, mellow guy who enjoys being around his people. His favorite thing in the world? A good ear scratch; he'll lean into you to tell you to keep going! Togo would love to find a home with a family that will help him continue to build confidence and give him all the lovin' he craves.
Fee:
Togo 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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Dodge Flower Neighborhood Association
Saturday 5/11, 10 - 11 am
Lighthouse Church,
2568 N. Palo Verde
Alvernon-Grant Initiative
Tuesday 5/14, 6 - 7 pm
Emmanuel Church,
1825 N. Alvernon
Campbell Grant North East Neighborhood Association
Wednesday 5/14, 6-7pm
Ward 3 Community Room
1510 E. Grant Rd
Mountain View Neighborhood Association
Thursday 5/16, 6:30 - 7 pm
Habitat For Humanity
3501 N. Mountain Ave.
Amphi Neighborhood Association
Thursday 5/16, 6 - 7 pm
Woods Memorial Library
3455 N.1st Ave.
Sugar Hill Neighborhood Association
Thursday 5/16, 6 - 7:30 pm
Donna Liggins Center
2160 N. 6th Ave.
RillitoBend Neighborhood Meeting
Saturday, 5/18 9 - 11am
Rio Vista Natural Resource Park
Ramada #1
The Ward 3 office is 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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Community Garden Plots Available
Tucson Home Sharing May 2024 Event Calendar
Ready, Set, REC! in May
Lend a Hand Senior Assistance Volunteer Opportunity
Pima College Adult Basic Education is looking for Volunteers
Go Electric AZ is Looking For Individuals Interested in Electrification of Their Homes and Their Transportation
 Sustainable Tucson's Energy Transformation Working Group (ETWG) provides a volunteer-based service dedicated to helping homeowners transition to electrified and energy-efficient homes. The website is goelectricaz.org. That program has completed its first training for coaches and is accepting clients on a limited basis. If you would like to receive assistance on electrifying your home, sign up at goelectricaz.org/client.
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive May 11th
 We invite you to participate in the 32nd annual, Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive hosted by the National Association of Letter Carriers on May 11, 2024 in Tucson, Green Valley, and Nogales! The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is our biggest food drive of the year. Every year your letter carriers collect tens of millions of pounds of food that help those in need. Please note that all the food you donate stays right here in our wonderful community. We collected more than 210,000 pounds in Southern Arizona last year and hope to collect 250,000 pounds this year!
This event is powered by Tucson Electric Power.
Learn more at www.communityfoodbank.org/stamp-out-hunger
Interested in helping even more? WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Groups and individual volunteers 16 years or older can help collect and sort food at each of our post office stations. Volunteers 12 – 15 years old may also join, but please bring one adult per four youth volunteers. Sign up today at volunteer.communityfoodbank.org/need
Train Day Saturday, May 11, From 10 am - 2 pm
Armory Artisan Market Saturday, May 11 from 10 am to 2 pm
Housing Convening Part II Tuesday May 14
AZ Cannafriends Monthly Event at the Historic Bates Mansion May 15, 2024, From 6-9 pm
Parking is available in the Parking lot across the street on W. Franklin street.
AZ NORML Highway Clean Up at Trader Joe's May 18, at 6 am.
Location: We start the clean up at Fort Lowell and Campbell, 3219 N Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85719. We end our cleanup near Campbell and River at 4209 N. Campbell Ave.
AZ NORML Sponsored Event: Stellar Smokes Shop & Lounge, May 18, 2024 From 7-10 pm
Located at: 22nd and Wilmot, 1112 S Wilmot Rd.
Food distribution: Food4Life is Saturday, May 18, at New Life Community Church of the Nazarene 3367 N. Geronimo.
Sign-up begins at 8 a.m and continues as long as they have food. Food is usually distributed beginning around 10, and they finish by 11 or 11:30. They have vegetables, fruit, packaged food, desserts, dairy, and some meat. You get to select your own food. There are no income, residency, or other requirements. Clothing is also available from 8 to 9 a.m.
Ward 3 sponsored Shred-it Event to benefit Lend a Hand Senior Assistance Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 7am to 9am
Keeling Desert Park Survey
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
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