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Council Member Fimbres’ October Letter
Dear Friends,
During the month of October, we continue to embrace the vibrant tapestry of our community, I want to take a moment to celebrate two significant occasions: National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs until October 15, and Indigenous Peoples Day.
National Hispanic Heritage Month honors the rich history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic communities. Here in Arizona, we are proud to be home to a diverse array of cultures that have shaped our identity. From the traditions of our local neighborhoods to the achievements of individuals who have made a profound impact in various fields, we recognize and celebrate these contributions that enrich our lives.
Simultaneously, on the second Monday of October, we observed Indigenous Peoples Day. This day is a powerful reminder of the history and resilience of Indigenous communities. With its deep-rooted Indigenous heritage, Tucson serves as a vital connection to the past, celebrating the traditions and contributions of the Tohono O'odham, Yaqui, and other tribes in our region.
As we reflect on these important observances, let us also commit to fostering understanding, respect, and collaboration among all cultures in our city. We can honor our shared history while working toward a brighter future.
Sincerely,
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 Your Ward 5 Council Member
Ward 5 Welcomes the Mel & Enid Zuckerman Center for
Health and Medical Careers!
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The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Mel and Enid Zuckerman Center for Health and Medical Careers was held on Friday October 4. This will be a great asset for the high school students in our community who are interested in a career in the healthcare field after graduation.
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I want to thank Governor Katie Hobbs, Congressman Juan Ciscomani, and of course, Mayor Regina Romero, for attending this wonderful event. Your support means everything to our community.
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
(Submitted Anonymously)
“Think pink! October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to furthering awareness and promotion of early detection of breast cancer, one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide.
My experience with the beast, is one I am compelled to share with women and men of all ages and walks of life...the beast knows no age nor sex and strikes randomly...if left undetected or unattended.
I had first noticed some discomfort while turning onto my side. “Note to self: Ask your doctor at today’s appointment”.
The appointment went well, until it didn’t. The news hit hard; I could not respond, and thus began my silent journey.
My husband and I were referred to a very well-known and respected oncologist. The simple word “oncologist” was burnt into my brain, but I could not say it, it just wouldn’t come out of my mouth, I knew what that meant.
During the appointment, he examined me as though I was just a body, not a woman with feelings of fear and sadness. He was oblivious that I felt silently broken.
Once the examination was over, he addressed my husband and me, as we sat in front of his fancy, elegant desk. He directed all the conversation to my husband, as if I weren’t even present. He discussed the next steps to follow, never once, even glancing at me.
I felt something happening deep within my being, and, much to his surprise, I raised my hand and said, " Just a minute...you just examined ME as though I wasn’t even present, and now you’re addressing my husband as if I have no say over my body” ...at this moment, this exact moment...I found my voice.
My story continues, but it’s my story, and I proudly say it’s my voice.
So, with all due respect, for anyone going through breast cancer or any other scourge, here are some of my suggestions to get you through whatever it is you must...please remember, they are just “suggestions”!
- First consult with your doctor.
- Listen carefully to what they say.
- Take notes.
- Follow the instructions that you are given.
- Ask for information that is clear and easily understood. Ask for leaflets, books, and reputable websites intended for patients.
- If at any time, you feel that your doctor has not “listened” to you, let them know! Find your voice!!! You are your best defense!
- If you still are not satisfied or comfortable with this doctor, look for another and get a second opinion.
- Do not fear or be embarrassed to ask questions. Ask those questions until everything is clear and you feel confident with the information you’ve received.
- Share information, in a simple and clear way with your loved ones to help them understand your journey.
- Maintain a positive attitude!
- Surround yourself with positive people!
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle!
- Look for activities that bring you joy!
- Ask for a referral to see a psych oncologist, they are doctors trained in these cases and will help you navigate through the journey!
...yo encontré mi voz...y soy una guerrera!”
October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month
In addition to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month. This is a time to raise awareness and promote understanding of this condition. Spina bifida is a neural tube defect that occurs when the spine doesn’t close entirely during early development, potentially leading to mobility challenges and other health concerns.
In Arizona, approximately 1 in every 1,000 births is affected by spina bifida, and around 600 individuals currently live with this condition in Tucson alone. Among those 600 individuals living with spina bifida in Tucson is Council Aide Gabriel Holguin. Despite the challenges, many people with spina bifida lead vibrant, fulfilling lives, contributing to our community in remarkable ways.
Sunnyside High School Girl’s Flag Football
“We're playing for ourselves, not for other people" - Jayceona Rodriguez (Pictured left). Pictured right is Isela Rodriguez
As the Monday night lights shined on the field turf, the nightly practice for the Sunnyside High School girl’s flag football team began. The 21-player team filled the field, going over the plays as they fully focused on enhancing their offensive and defensive skills. With motivating music playing from a boombox nearby, their positive attitudes and great athleticism made for a very productive practice.
This year marks a significant milestone as the girls continue to make their mark in a traditionally male-dominated sport. Unlike regular football, flag football emphasizes agility and strategy, as players aim to pull flags from their opponents' waistlines instead of tackling. The girls sport sleeveless jerseys and shorts, allowing greater freedom of movement.
We had the chance to speak with two team members, cousins Isela Rodriguez, a junior, and Jayceona Rodriguez, a sophomore, both proudly representing the "Blue Devils” and proudly proving that sports can be a family affair. When asked what inspired them to join the team, Isela shared, "We enjoyed trying out and conditioning with the team." When joining a team, it is very important to have goals in mind, not just for yourself but for your team as well. Jayceona shared with us her goal of making the playoffs, while Isela expressed a desire to improve with each practice. These are important goals to have. It is also important to have the drive and discipline to achieve the goals we know this team has. In addition to drive and discipline, a team needs great chemistry and closeness to succeed. Isela noted, "We're really close," and Jayceona affirmed, "We like that we're on the same page." This was extremely apparent as we watched them train rigorously.
Of course, some people may still think of football as a “guy’s sport” and even mock the idea of a girls’ team. Such a stereotype could be quite discouraging for any girl considering this sport. However, this is not the case for Isela and Jayceona. Jayceona boldly stated, “We’re playing for ourselves, not for other people.” It is truly inspiring to see a group of strong, athletic girls doing what they love without caring what others think.
Sports instill skills and lessons that stay with students long after graduation. The skills and lessons they acquire mold them to succeed in adulthood. Isela takes the lesson that needing a team is important to accomplish things, and Jayceona takes the lesson of always remaining positive with her.
We want to thank Isela and Jayceona for chatting with us, and we want to thank their coaches for the opportunity to watch the team practice. We wish them the best of luck. Go Blue Devils!
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Ward 5 Spotlight: Mexico Lindo Food Market
We could not close out National Hispanic Heritage Month without highlighting a business with deep roots in the Southside that exudes pride in its Hispanic heritage. Meet Mexico Lindo Food Market owners Eduardo and Gloria Barnett.
The story of Mexico Lindo Food Market began 23 years ago. Gloria mentioned that she and Eduardo had a store in Cananea, Sonora, where she and her husband Eduardo were originally from. She explained that, unfortunately, their business burned down. When that happened, she and Eduardo decided to take the little that they had and come to the United States to get a fresh start on their journey as entrepreneurs. They settled down in Tucson’s southside, and with its strong Hispanic presence and influence, they determined that this would be the perfect location to open their new market, focusing on selling authentic Mexican food/products. However, finding a building proved to be more difficult than anticipated. Their current location used to be an Auto Glass business, with cars constantly coming in and out to be serviced. Eduardo mentioned that they spent $200,000 on revamping the building, which, in 2001, was a lot of money. Gloria recalled people telling her that she and Eduardo knew that location would never work. Another challenge that they encountered was the language barrier, and with that, the culture shock of realizing how differently things are done here than in Mexico, especially when it comes to opening and managing the daily operations of a business. However, those challenges did not stop them from opening their market, and 23 years later, they are still up and running.
When asked what advice they would give to other Latino entrepreneurs who are just starting out or aspiring to run their own business, without hesitation, Gloria said, “Perseverance.” This is something that is primarily needed to run a market that larger stores and companies can easily overshadow. Eduardo said, “Unity.” This is also necessary, especially since many businesses fail in their infancy because their owners started alone and did not recruit anyone to go on this journey with them.
Giving back to the community is extremely important to Gloria and Eduardo. They mention that they help at school events, give to the Santa Monica Catholic Church, and participate in community events. This is how they express gratitude to a community that has given them so much. Speaking of community, Mexico Lindo has become a bridge between the Hispanic and non-Hispanic communities. Gloria and Eduardo mentioned that many customers who are not of Hispanic origin and who do not speak Spanish often shop at Mexico Lindo. They laughed as they recall that those customers keep coming back for their tortillas and chorizo. Gloria and Eduardo have no plans to expand Mexico Lindo, citing their age and their children choosing different paths as the reasons why.
Mexico Lindo Food Market is located at 50 W. Valencia Rd. It is open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 7 PM and Sunday from 8 AM to 6 PM.
We want to thank Gloria and Eduardo Barnett for sharing the incredible story of Mexico Lindo. Stories like this are a powerful testament of perseverance and strength. It is inspiring to see how far Gloria and Eduardo have come, and we wish them the best of luck.
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A Scary Good Time at the Quince Douglas
Trunk-or-Treat!
We had a great time at the Quincie Douglas Trunk-or-Treat on Friday, October 11! So many children showed up in their costumes to receive tasty treats. It was also very cool to see so many cars decorated with Halloween decor.
A huge thank you to everyone who showed up and volunteered. Also, a huge thank you and congratulations to the Quincie Douglas Center for organizing such an amazing event for the children in our community!
Grand Opening of the
Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF)
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The Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF) held its grand opening on Saturday morning. This health center works to provide health care services and resources to the LGBTQ+ community.
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A huge thank you to everyone who attended this great event. A huge thank you to Pima County Board of Supervisors Chair Adelita Grijalva, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, Ward 1 Council Member Lane Santa Cruz for their support and of course, a huge thank you and congrats to Beth Frantz and everyone at SAAF for their hard work and dedication!
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Thank You, Michael Ortega
I am honored to present former Tucson City Manager Michael Ortega with an award in appreciation for his service and dedication to the City of Tucson.
Michael,
Words cannot express our gratitude for your contribution to the City of Tucson. You have set an example, to be followed in the future and have left an indelible mark on us all. Thank you for your nine years of dedicated service.
Upcoming Ward 5
Neighborhood Association Meetings
Neighborhood: South Park
Date: Monday, November 4, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Quincie Douglas Center
(1575 East 36th Street)
Neighborhood: Fairgrounds
Date: Thursday, November 7, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: La Mariposa Park (301 East Aviation Dr.)
Neighborhood: Sunnyside
Date: Monday, November 18, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: El Pueblo Activity Center (101 W. Irvington Rd.)
Neighborhood: Pueblo Gardens
Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Quincie Douglas Center (1575 East 36th Street)
Neighborhood: Miles
Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Miles Exploratory Learning Center (4000 E. Broadway Blvd.)
Neighborhood: Las Vistas
Date: Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Quincie Douglas Recreation Center (1575 East 36th Street)
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Upcoming Mayor and Council Meetings
Date: Thursday, November 7
Study Session: 2:00 PM
Regular Meeting: 5:30 PM
Location: Mayor and Council Chambers
City Hall, 1st Floor.
255 West Alameda Street
Tucson, Arizona 85701
Date: Tuesday, November 19
Study Session: 2:00 PM
Regular Meeting: 5:30 PM
Location: Mayor and Council Chambers
City Hall, 1st Floor.
255 West Alameda Street
Tucson, Arizona 85701
(Doors open 30 minutes before start time)
You can also watch the Mayor & Council Meetings on the City of Tucson’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@cityoftucson/live
A Message from Environmental & General Services Department (EGSD)
Team Up to Clean Up Your Neighborhood
What is Team Up to Clean Up?
The City of Tucson, along with community partners, is organizing a citywide clean-up effort. Residents, families, students, community groups, and businesses are invited to join forces to clean and enhance our neighborhood.
For more details, visit: https://climateaction.tucsonaz.gov/pages/teamup
No Tools Needed!
The city provides all necessary materials and will handle trash disposal.
Want to Clean at Your Own Pace?
You can get recycled 55-gallon bags from your local ward office, courtesy of our local breweries.
For questions, email Steven at steven.laturco@tucsonaz.gov
   
Ward 5 Welcomes OPCS Center for Housing First!
We had a great time at the OPCS Center for Housing First Grand Opening Fiesta! The ceremony was held on Thursday, October 17. We are excited for the opportunities that this Center will bring to those experiencing homelessness to improve their quality of life. A huge thank you to everyone who attended, including Ward 1 Council Member Lane Santa Cruz.
Do you have a concern about a pothole, a park issue, missed trash or recycling collection, an abandoned building, nuisance property, water waste, graffiti, or just need to know which City department handles a particular issue? If so, there's a one-stop shop for these types of reports and others. Download and use the Tucson 311 app, the 311-service request portal via the City of Tucson website or call 311.
Winter Pool Schedule
“Tucson Water prides itself in providing affordable water for all customers.
Tucson Water CARES offers monthly discounts on water, garbage, and sewer bills for qualified customers through the Utility Bill Assistance Program.
Visit tucsonaz.gov/water/CARES to see if you are eligible for assistance”
Free Computer Use
The Ward 5 Council Office is now offering free computer access to the public. This will be a great help to those who do not have a computer or internet access at home. If you would like to use one of our computers, please call us at (520) 791-4231 to make a reservation.
3rd Annual Dia De Muertos Altar
 
Important City Contacts
STAY INFORMED!
Check out our other
information outlets
https://www.tucsonaz.gov/ward-5
Like/Follow us on Facebook: Ward 5 City of Tucson
WARD 5 OFFICE
4300 S. Park Ave.
Tucson, Arizona 85714
Phone: (520) 791-4231
Fax: (520) 791-3188
Ward5@tucsonaz.gov
WARD 5 STAFF
Lupita Robles - Chief of Staff
Mary Kuchar - Council Aide
Gabriel Holguin – Council Aide
Cindy Gonzales – Council Aide
Lita Reyes - Council Staff Assistant
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