|
|
At next Tuesday’s council meeting, Mayor Regina Romero will be proclaiming April to be Tucson Garden Month, urging Tucsonans to celebrate the many benefits of gardening and the many local organizations that are engaged in the important work of helping residents garden. The month was the idea of Ricardo San Nicolas, a Ward 3 resident who also worked with the state and Pima County to make similar proclamations.
 Some of you might know that earlier in my career I worked for years with the nonprofit Native Seeds/SEARCH, an organization dedicated to preserving the gardening and farming traditions of this region. While there I wrote a book that is still in print (available from Western National Parks Association) that might interest gardeners, Native Harvest: Authentic Southwestern Gardening. I tried to explain how anyone can grow food and other useful plants that have traditionally grown here, that are adapted to our climate, soils, and growing conditions. The book highlights individual plants, exploring its cultural history and traditional uses, as well as providing easy-to-follow planting instruction.
 Council Member Kevin Dahl holding a copy of his book Native Harvest.
I have some extra copies of the book, so in honor of Tucson Garden Month it will be my pleasure to give a book free of charge to the first 15 newsletter readers who email our office (ward3@tucsonaz.gov) and request a copy.
 Katie's plot of sunflowers and Swiss chard at the Thompson Park Community Garden.
Whether you grow some of your food or flowers at a Community Garden, volunteer at a public garden, fill your front yard with plants that help birds, butterflies, and other pollinators, or are just thinking about starting on a new phase of gardening, please take inspiration this month and enjoy the healthy and enjoyable pursuit of gardening!
|
|
 Some of the most stressed environments in the entire City are within Ward 3. It has the highest number of encampments and the highest rate of homelessness. There is also substance misuse and elevated incidents of crime. The City is busy doing its best to address these issues; we all know that is still not enough. So, as the famous Beatles song goes, Ward 3 needs "a little help from its friends." This is how the non-profit "Friends of Ward 3" (FOW3) was born. We covered its founding in our August 13, 2024, newsletter, and the non-profit has since been busy.
The aim of the organization is to get more assistance to those residents of Ward 3 who are the most vulnerable. Their vision, as stated on their website, is "A Ward 3 where every resident has the resources and opportunities needed for a fulfilling life in a thriving, safe, and sustainable environment". Heading up the non-profit is President Nigel Brooks, with some assistance from board members John Kovacik and Daniel Dempsey. Recently, FOW3 launched a website where the public can catch up and stay informed about their most recent endeavors and with a way to keep in touch and donate.
 Friends of Ward 3 President Nigel Brooks.
This is of special importance because with donations, FOW3 can then redistribute the funds to help with other projects that would bring needed improvements to areas of Ward 3 such as the newly renamed "Danny Lopez" Park. The organization has put together care and hygiene packages for the unhoused residents of the ward and even given gifts to disadvantaged children in the ward during the holidays. In addition, they have organized drives to gather and package basic needs items to assist the unhoused.
 The FOW3 board members Daniel Dempsey (left) & John Kovacik (right) with President Nigel Brooks in the center.
Friends of Ward 3 is picking up steam and looking for more friends that could contribute. If that is you, please feel free to reach out to Nigel at friends@fow3.org or donate at https://tinyurl.com/4ssey3vz. Any little bit helps.
|
|
 TAYLOR /ID#A847905
Age: 1 year 7 months
Qualities:
Like the song by her namesake, this girl is Gorgeous. Taylor’s former family said she’s friendly, playful and knows All Too Well about being housebroken and crate trained. She enjoys exploring during walks, responds well to commands and is social and playful with other dogs during playgroup. If your home has a Blank Space that Taylor could fill, stop by PACC and Speak Now to an adoption counselor. You’ll be Enchanted to meet her!
Fee:
Taylor is free to adopt. She is spayed, up-to-date on vaccines, and microchipped.
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.
|
|
|
Balboa Heights Neighborhood Association
Tuesday 4/8, 5:30-7pm
Marty Birdman Center
2536 N Castro Ave.
El Cortez Neighborhood Association
Thursday 4/10, 6- 7pm
Donna Liggins Center
2160 N 6th Ave.
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.
|
|
United Way VITA Tax Preparation in Our Ward 3 Community Room on Saturdays 9 AM-1 PM, February 8 - April 12
 Questions? Contact Us!
Email: vita@unitedwaytucson.org
Phone: 520-333-5810
Website: https://unitedwaytucson.org/vita/
Danny Lopez Park Request For Qualifications Open From March 27 To May 8
Tucson Clean & Beautiful Job Opportunity
Lend A Hand Yard Sale On April 4 & 5 From 7 AM - 1 PM At 4309 N Radin Ave
Lend A Hand will be having a yard sale April 4th and 5th from 7am-1pm. If you have items to donate you can drop them off at 4309 N Radin Ave which is a half block south of Wetmore and a few blocks west of 1St Ave. Please call or text 520-360-7613 to let us know you will be dropping things off.
Be sure and come to the sale! We will have all sorts of interesting items to choose from!
Please don’t bring candles, clothing, VCR or cassette tapes or old tvs!!!
Thank you all for your support of Lend A Hand!!!
We Care Tucson Tech Fest Saturday, April 5 From 10 AM - 2 PM
Cyclovia Tucson Comes to Treat Ave. on April 6!
Mining in the Age of Climate Change Zoom Meeting On April 8 At 6 PM
Join Sustainable Tucson on Tuesday, April 8, at 6 pm, on Zoom, for our next Sustainability Spotlight program, “Mining in the Age of Climate Change.” Our panel will present an overview of some of the actual or potential impacts of mining on our health, water, and scenic beauty in Southern Arizona, particularly looking at what’s happening in the Santa Rita Mountains. We will address the conflict between the environmental risks and destruction caused by mining and our need for metals used in producing clean energy to fight destructive warming. Our speakers represent Save the Scenic Santa Ritas and Arizona Mining Reform Coalition. Find more information and the Zoom link for the meeting on our website (www.sustainabletucson.org [sustainabletucson.org]) or on our Facebook page or Meetup group.
26th Annual EGGstravaganza Saturday, April 12 From 10 AM - 1 PM At Doris Thompson Park
Solutions-Focused Community Book Club April 10 From 5:30 - 7:30 PM
 The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona with Tome Gnome and Tucson Spotlight to host the Solutions-Focused Community Book Club!
When: April 10, 2025 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: CFSA Campus
Book: My Side of the River: A Memoir by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez
This book club aims to bring together interested community members from all walks of life to bond over a shared desire to make our community better for all – and be inspired by a shared reading experience!
Light refreshments will be provided.
More Than a Bed Needs Donations
 More Than a Bed provides essentials to children in foster, adoptive and kinship care to alleviate the financial burden on the families caring for them because every child deserves to feel valued.
More Than a Bed collects anything a child needs; clothing, toys, bedding, beds (not mattresses), housewares, bikes, new or used for redistribution at no cost to the families.
Our drop off hours are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 8:30-1:30 and the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month from 8:30-1:30.
Our website is www.morethanabed.org
Southern Arizona Home Share
 Jefferson Park Plant Sale On May 2-4 From 8 AM To 2 PM
Need a break and a boost? You might find it just outside your door. Research shows that exposure to natural environments:
Want to learn about local nature areas? Check out this web page: https://sustainabletucson.org/nature/ [sustainabletucson.org]
Ready, Set, REC! in March
Help Reduce Waste & Support Refugees! Donate Mason Jars At The Ward 3 Office
$5000 Scholarship Opportunity
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.
|
|
|
|
|
