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Sparkling, colorful, creative displays and family fun have greeted visitors to this Tucson tradition for 75 years. It starts tomorrow, Dec. 14, and continues nightly from 6-10 pm.
 The festival is beloved by the community at large, but some attendee behaviors make it really tough for the neighbors and neighborhoods surrounding the event area. Driveways are blocked by illegal parking. Garbage is left in the streets and in front yards. Traffic can create unsafe conditions as some thoughtlessly stop on busy Ft. Lowell to let out passengers, or when people dart across the street rather than use marked crosswalks.
As attendance has grown, these problems have grown despite increased police and traffic control presence, garbage receptacles, and parking enforcement. In response, the City has put together a Good Neighbor Guidance web page with safety and courtesy suggestions. Please consult it as you plan your visit.
In a nutshell, we ask you to be a good neighbor (and avoid a ticket or worse):
- Don’t speed in the event area
- Pay attention to public safety personnel, traffic signs, and signals
- Pay careful attention to where you park (this is important, so here are some details):
- Don’t block driveways, alleys, or traffic control devices such as stop signs!
- Be aware of signs that alert you to restricted parking areas.
- Park with both of your wheels within 18 inches of any curb. This will keep your vehicle out of travel lanes and away from bicyclists moving with vehicular traffic.
- Leave some distance between your vehicle and all driveways, alleys, intersections, traffic control devices, and of course, fire hydrants.
- Don’t block driveways, alleys, or traffic control devices such as stop signs (yep, we listed this twice as it is a real problem for neighbors in the surrounding neighborhoods)!
- Carpool (it’s more fun with friends) or use transit
- Dispose of garbage only in provided receptacles or take it home with you. Bring a bag to bring home recylable items as there is no recycling at the festival
 A Whoville display at the Winterhaven Neighborhood.
In short, be mindful of others so that your actions won’t dim the holiday joy of others.
The Winterhaven Festival of Lights is also a major fundraiser for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona (in fact, their second biggest food drive of the year). Last year $31,222 was raised and 37,800 pounds of food collected! You can drop off food or make your donation at entrances to the Festival. Most needed food items are cereal, oatmeal, peanut butter, canned tuna or chicken, canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned soups, canned tomato products, beans, pasta, rice and nuts. Donations may also be made online at www.communityfoodbank.org/winterhaven.
Make your plans to attend by consulting the website, www.winterhavenfestival.org. It is a pedestrian based event (no drive through times this year), but for a fee you can ride an ADA-accessible trolley, ride a party bike, take a hayride, or dance your way through the festival as part of a silent-disco group.
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 Amphi Neighborhood President Joseph Wilkison (L) with Vice Mayor Kevin Dahl (R) at the ”Taste of Amphi” & artisan market.
This past Saturday, the Ward 3 Office participated in Living Streets Alliance's (LSA) Cyclovita-Amphi event. Hopefully, you are familiar with LSA's popular Cyclovia event, which temporarily transforms miles of city streets into car-free spaces for people to enjoy. Cyclovita-Amphi, was a smaller pilot event that created a half-mile, car-free route in the Amphi neighborhood—thanks to the recent resurfacing funded by Prop 411, this event was also a great way to break in the new asphalt. The route connected the Woods-Memorial Library and the Building Bridges Community Center.
At each end, there were activities for people of all ages to enjoy. Near the Woods-Memorial Library, a resource fair featured tenant rights information, health services, food access resources, free haircuts, youth programs, and free bike repair. Food trucks and kid-friendly activities like sidewalk chalk, hoola hoops, and bubbles added to the festive atmosphere. On the opposite end, outside the Building Bridges Community Center, a global artisan market and the "Taste of Amphi" potluck was set up, which highlighted the neighborhood's refugee residents. Zumba classes and performances by King-Doumbya Drumming and Dance energized the crowd, creating a fun and interactive environment for everyone.
 Neighbors dancing along to an African drumming performance by King-Doumbya Drumming and Dance group.
I volunteered with LSA to collect feedback surveys and had the opportunity to engage with residents. People appreciated the community-centered nature of the event, especially the safe space it provided for children to freely ride their bikes, the diverse food offerings, and the opportunity to dance and connect with neighbors.
 Ward 3 Office Administrator Shannon Jenkins during her volunteer shift with LSA collecting feedback about the event.
Cyclovita is a wonderful way for neighborhoods to build connections, access resources, and make public spaces more inclusive. I hope that other neighborhoods throughout the city can experience a Cyclovita event. It’s a fantastic way to celebrate community and make our streets more accessible to everyone. Thank you to Living Streets Alliance for making it happen!
The Ward 3 office recently met with County Supervisor Sylvia Lee, Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher, and Pima County Staff to discuss an all too common problem that faces many residents of older mobile home parks- overcharging residents for utilities. Up until the mid-1970s, most mobile home parks had a “master meter” for utilities such as gas, electricity, and water. This meant that one utility bill was provided to the owner of the park who then charged the residents individually. This kind of setup is no longer legal, but all the older parks were “grandfathered” in, meaning they don’t have to comply. Due to the lack of individual meters, residents have no idea how much electricity (gas or water) they use. This system appears ripe for predatory landlords, out-of-state owners, and speculators to overcharge residents with the threat of eviction for non-payment. Raye Winch from Poder Casas Móviles brought the matter forward to local officials after hearing from residents about large utility bills (sometimes more than their monthly rent) that they feel are not accurate. This was the first meeting in trying to untangle which agency is responsible for oversight and how we as local government can address this issue that impacts low-income and elderly residents of Tucson.
 From left to right: Teresa Bravo, Tucson Electric Power; Katie Bolger, Chief of Staff Ward 3; Kevin Dahl, Ward 3 Council Member and Vice Mayor; Dr. Sylvia Lee, District 3 Pima County Supervisor; Raye Winch, Poder Casas Moviles; Jan Lesher, Pima County Administrator; Maria Klucarova, Pima County District 3 Chief of Staff; Kate Hiller, Pima County District 1; Kim Briggs, Pima County District 1; Andy Flagg, Pima County Deputy Director for Community
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 BUCKWHEAT/ #A853821
Age: 8 Months
Qualities:
We can't believe lil' Buckwheat is still waiting for a home! This adorable little puppy is shy at first and tends to hide in his kennel, but if you give him a few minutes to get to know you, he becomes the goofiest, happiest guy this side of the Mississippi! Buckwheat has done well with other dogs and is the perfect size at just under 30 pounds. Let's get this guy a family!
Fee:
Buckwheat 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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Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association Meeting
Wednesday 12/18, 5-7 pm
Ward 3 Community Room,
1510 E. Grant Rd.
Flowing Wells Neighborhood Association and Community Coalition (FWNACC) Meeting
Thursday 12/19, 6-7:30 pm
Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center
1600 W. Ruthrauff Rd.
La Madera Neighborhood Association Meeting
Saturday 12/21, 9:30-10:30 am
La Madera Park,
2700 E. La Madera Dr.
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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Planning Commision Study Session To Review Community Corridors Tool
On December 18, 2024, the City of Tucson Planning Commission will hold a study session to review the proposed Community Corridors Tool project. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. both in-person at the Mayor and Council Chambers (1st Floor City Hall, 255 W. Alameda) and virtually via zoom. The agenda and meeting materials may be found on the Planning Commission page here.
The Planning Commission study session is informational. It will be an opportunity for the Commission and the public to learn about the current draft of the proposal and how community feedback has been integrated as we continue to refine the proposed code amendment.
There is an opportunity for public comment during the call to the audience. You may also provide input to the Planning Commission via comments submitted to PlanningCommission@tucsonaz.gov. The study session will be recorded and the meeting recordings are available online, again, on the Planning Commission webpage, usually within 48 hours of the meeting.
We will also be making updates to the Community Corridors Tool webpage in the upcoming days to reflect the newly revised materials for the Planning Commission study session, an updated Frequently Asked Questions, and additional supportive information and relevant research related to the project. We will follow up with an email once those updates are made.
Community Food Bank Food and Sneaker Drive
Valley of the Moon's Fairy Lights December 13 & 14 From 6-8
Healthy Companions Pet Wellness Event December 18
ZooLights: Holiday Magic December 5-23
Encore Nights December 26-30 and January 2-5.Click to edit this placeholder text.
19th Annual Southern Arizona Transportation Museum Holiday Express
Free Food Saturday December 21 At 8 AM
Arizona Women's Chorus December 22 At 3 PM
Battle Bot Boot Camp January 2 & 3 from 10 AM- 3:30 PM
Non-Perishable Food Items Needed For The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
FAFSA Workshop
Earthwise Equitable Green Financing
 
Point In Time Count Volunteer Opportunity For 2025
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 on events dates and times, visit: Team Up To Clean Up.
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
Schedule for Tucson Home Sharing Events
Watershed Management Group Tucson On The Move Events
 
Free Hot Soup From November 12- March 14
Selfie With Santa Sundays Thru December
Free Workshop!
Ready, Set, REC! in December
Grocery Sharing at Tucson Food Share - 2500 N. Stone Ave.
Groceries are shared Mondays 4:30 - 6 pm, Thursdays 6 - 7:30 pm, and Saturdays from 8 - 9:30am. https://tucsonfoodshare.org/ has more information about volunteering, donating, or requesting delivery.
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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A hearty congratulations to our two eagle-eyed readers JP Martin and Kristian Quihuiz for noticing that we haphazardly Photoshopped Naomi's head on CJ's body. You win the booby prize;) |
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