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This message is approved for distribution by the City Manager's Office.
The content of the message is an expression of the elected official.
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 In honor of the fight for social justice, collective bargaining, and environmental protection, the Ward 3 office will be closed Monday, March 30, in observance of the Dolores Huerta Holiday.
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Community Service Officer Nicole Finlayson gave a well-received presentation this week at Monte Vista Neighborhood Association’s annual meeting on things anyone can do around the home to deter crime. We learned best ways to secure doors and windows, use security cameras and outdoor lighting, etc. Officer Finlayson has also provided helpful consultations with Ward 3 businesses seeking to make their operations more secure. If you are interested, this information is also available in an online booklet (you can print it out) on the Tucson Police website: https://tinyurl.com/mwbybbpt
 Somewhat related, at the last Mayor and Council meeting we had a closed-door presentation on our cybersecurity procedures and how we work to protect critical infrastructure and operations. We learned that anyone who uses a personal or business phone or computer is a target. In 2024, the FBI received 859,532 cybercrime complaints – with losses exceeding $16.6 billion in the United States. You can learn to protect yourself, for instance by stronger and better managed passwords, at this website: https://www.cisa.gov/topics/cybersecurity-best-practices
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ICE Breaker
 ICE is now at the airport. Well, in Phoenix, anyway. With the federal Government partially shut down, agencies such as the TSA have been forced to take furloughs or even work without pay. In order to alleviate this situation and make America “great” again, the Trump administration has tapped ICE to go and help out with airport security. Apparently, they did such a bang-up job in Minnesota that this seemed like a logical move. The agency and its overly-aggressive and undertrained officers have now been deployed to help secure our nation’s airports, along with the underpaid and understaffed TSA. What could possibly go wrong?
As it turns out, quite a bit. ICE agents are not trained in airport security and wasted no time in resorting to their familiar tactics of assaulting people and not identifying themselves, as they did at the San Francisco Airport on March 22. The difference now is that they seem not to be covering up their faces anymore. Which, I suppose, is a step in the less wrong direction, but still pretty horrific since they do not seem to be identifying themselves when prompted to do so. They wear no uniforms, just their green police vests and casual cargo pants. Moreover, now they look like teenagers cosplaying Call of Duty.
Photo Courtesy of Megan Greenwell/Bluesky
If any concerns about their lack of training were bad enough before, couple them with a badge, gun, lack of life experience, and pubescent insecurities, and we have a real panic-inducing scene. If ever there was a reason to fund the TSA, this is it.
As of the writing of this article, no ICE agents have been deployed to the Tucson International Airport.
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The Blue Moon Community Garden
 The entrance of the Blue Moon Garden with a walkway leading to the ramada.
Recently, I had the opportunity to tour the Blue Moon Community Garden, located just south of Tucson House at 1375 N 13th Ave. Sammy Kaplan, Community Gardens’ Operations Coordinator and dedicated volunteer Mike Thomas, showed me around the property and all the of great amenities available to its gardeners.
 Sammy Kaplan and Mike Thomas in front of the Blue Moon mural painted on the garden shed.
The Blue Moon Garden is the second largest site managed by Community Gardens of Tucson, featuring 36 plots across half an acre. The garden includes both in-ground and raised plots to allow accessible gardening for all who wish to participate. Beyond individual plots, the space offers a variety of shared resources, including native plants, a fruit orchard, a composting system, community plots, and even a composting toilet. It also serves as a FoodCycle at Home drop-off site and provides self-serve compost and woodchip distribution for the public.
 Gardeners tending to the garden during a Workday event at the Blue Moon Garden.
In 2012, the area was transformed from a parking lot into the garden it is today. Mike shared that many neighbors still remember that transformation. Although he wasn’t involved at the time, Mike has become one of the garden’s most outstanding volunteers over the past six and a half years.
However, Mike doesn’t maintain a personal plot. Instead, he focuses on caring for the entire garden. With a background in landscaping, he spends hours each week removing weeds and invasive species, keeping the tree canopies trimmed appropriately to ensure the right amount on sunlight reaches the plants, maintaining shared spaces in and around the garden, and helping ensure irrigation systems are functioning properly. His pride in the garden is evident, and when asked what he hopes to see in the future, he emphasized his want for greater community use, more events, and for people to simply enjoy and relax in the garden.
 Long-time Blue Moon gardener, Angel, proudly holding crops he harvested from his plot.
Currently, six plots are available for new gardeners. No prior experience is necessary as tools, equipment, and even seeds can be provided. There is more information on the Community Gardens of Tucson’s website about gardening, plot rentals, and scholarship programs. For those who prefer to support in other ways, a fundraising campaign is underway to help restore garden infrastructure and buy power tools.
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 ID# A891028
Age: 9 years
Qualities:
Gertie came from a hoarding situation with nearly 100 dogs and was part of the first group to be helped by PACC’s Animal Restoration Kennel facility (ARK). ARK was created for the explicit purpose of addressing hoarding conditions at sites scattered throughout the county, allowing the animals in these situations to get the physical care and socialization that they need. The dogs in this case range in age and size and even include mamas with babies- all are sweet, deserving dogs who dream of a loving home and a chance at a healthy, happy life. These dogs each have a unique personality- some are already vibrant and brave, while others need more TLC and help to build confidence, but all have love to share with their future family.
Fee:
Gertie 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.
 ID# A895521
Age: 13 years
Qualities:
Betty Bailey is a tiny little grandma cat at just 5.5 pounds—small in size, but full of love. She’s had a bit of a haircut mishap, but we think it emphasizes her darling little face. She loves wet food, a cozy place to rest, and gentle company nearby. She does have lymphoma so she needs someone kind to foster or adopt her and help keep up with her care.
Fee:
Betty Bailey 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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Next Mayor & Council Meeting |
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Ward 3 Neighborhood Association / Coalition Meetings |
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Fort Lowell Corridor Crime and Safety Meeting
Every Third Tuesday, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
AGM, 3544 E. Fort Lowell Rd.
Meeting info and North Dodge Website
Mountain First Neighborhood Association
Saturday 3/14, 9-10 am
Mitchell Park
1100 E Mitchell St.
The Ward 3 office is open at 1510 E. Grant Rd. from
9 am - 1 pm for walk-ins or later by appointment, Monday through Friday. Staff will answer phone messages, emails, and requests for meetings by the next business day. Leave your message at or email ward3@tucsonaz.gov.
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Ward 3 & City-wide Events |
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Happening Now
Surface treatments in Ward 3
 
Now Through May 30
Saturdays
Free Poetry and Art Classes At Wings of Freedom Apartments Community Room From 3:30-5 PM.
Call (520)-276-9598 to register or sign up via email by clicking on the following link:
Beginning in March
Tugo bike stations in Ward 3 will be moving! Click on the button for more info.
Richland Heights East Neighborhood Association Chili Cook Off At 2026 Kleindale Road From 3-5 PM
March 28
Saturday
From 1-5 PM
Sugarhill Community Block Party At The Doris J. Thompson Park
From 10 AM - 2 PM
No Kings March III At Corner of Country Club and Speedway
From 10 AM - 2 PM
Last Saturdays at Catalyst At 4500 N Oracle Rd. St.110
From 9 AM-1 PM
Zero Waste Event At 2700 E. Speedway
March 29
Sunday
12 PM
High School Battle of the Bands Reid Park
March 31
Tuesday
From 4-6 PM
Greenspaces and Health Photovoice Exhibition At The Lionel Rombach Gallery
April 5
Sunday
9 AM-2 PM
IBICAS Art Mart At 2001 N 7th Ave.
April 12
Sunday
9 AM-3 PM
Cyclovia Tucson Downtown-Amphi Neighborhood
April 18
Saturday
9 AM-2 PM
Iskashitaa's Spring Fair At 3736 E 2nd St.
April 25
Saturday
10 AM-3 PM
Black and Brown Health Fair Donna Liggins Center At 2160 N 6th Ave.
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Free Gun Locks At Ward 3
Do you need a lock for your guns? Swing by our office at 1510 E. Grant Rd. from 9 AM-1 PM and come pick up a free lock while supplies last.
Preparedness Resources For Immigrant Families
Community Rapid Response Team https://rapidresponsetucson.com, 520-221-4077
 A handy bilingual Know Your Rights card for your wallet (pictured below) is available free, in quantities, from Ward 3 or at the Gloo Factory.
Family Preparedness Plan for Immigrant Families, in English and Spanish. Click the buttons below to download a PDF file of the plans.
Other resources:
Railroad Underpass Project Work Over Grant Road
City Of Tucson Issues Notice Of Intent For Proposed Rate And Fee Changes
Following a vote during the Mayor and Council meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, the City of Tucson has issued a notice of intent (NOI) for proposed rate and fee changes for the following departments, as required by Arizona Revised Statutes § 9-499.15:
Environmental Services
Planning and Development Services
Transportation and Mobility
Tucson Water
There will be six in-person and two virtual meetings for community members to learn more about the proposed rate and fee changes from each department.
Upcoming Public Meetings
Wednesday, March 25, 5:30-7 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85430784722
Wednesday, April 1, 5:30-7 p.m.
Randolph Center, 200 S. Alvernon Way
Thursday, April 9, 5:30-7 p.m.
Donna R. Liggins Center, 2160 N. 6th Ave.
Saturday, April 11, 10-11:30 a.m.
Fred Archer Center, 1665 S. La Cholla Blvd.
Tuesday, April 14, 5:30-7 p.m.
El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Road
Thursday, April 16, 5:30-7 p.m.
Morris K. Udall Recreation Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road
Saturday, April 18, 10-11:30 a.m.
Clements Center, 8155 E. Poinciana Dr.
Monday, April 20, 5:30-7 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89925574155
Tucson IDA First Time Homebuyer Loans
Tucson IDA will be launching a new program on April 1st which will provide $15,000 to first-time homebuyers. Funding will last through August 2026.
Volunteers Needed for THP at Cyclovia!
We have a space to have our demo micro-home displayed at Cyclovia on Sunday, April 12, from 9 am-3 pm.
Volunteers give tours of the micro-home and share information about The Homing Project. This event is a great opportunity to get the word out about The Homing Project, sign up more volunteers, and encourage much-needed donations.
There are 2 shifts available: 8-12 and 12-4. The first shift helps to set up the micro-home, and the last shift helps to close up the micro-home.
To sign-up for a shift, click here https://thehomingproject.org/contribute/ then click on the Volunteer button. It will take you to our volunteer database, where there are many opportunities to choose from. Per shift, we need:
- Driver to take the demo micro-home to/from Cyclovia
- Shift manager
- Banker
- Demo Volunteers
- Table Volunteers
For more information about Cyclovia, go to https://www.cycloviatucson.org/
St. Francis Community Food Pantry Has Moved!
Find Food Access Resources In Tucson
Tucson food assistance providers are seeing a sharp rise in demand from families affected by delayed federal benefits, such as SNAP and WIC. At the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, there is an increase in first-time visitors, many of whom had never sought food assistance before. Volunteers are working overtime to assemble emergency food boxes for those suddenly without access to those benefits. The Community Food Bank offers help multiple times a week during varying hours continues to distribute food at its main location, 3003 S. Country Club Road, and through partner agencies across Southern Arizona. Officials urge residents in need to reach out early, as local inventories may fluctuate if the shutdown continues. You can also find a list of food resources by following the This is Tucson link below.
Friends of Ward 3 Is Helping Rio Vista Elementary
The Homing Project Is Creating A Village
The Homing Project, a local nonprofit that is creating a village of transitional micro-shelters for unhoused people, welcomes visitors for a village tour before the village becomes home to residents (planned for June 2026).
Our next village open house is Tuesday, April 14th, 10 am - noon. No need to RSVP, just show up. Please come with your hats and water - it's Tucson! We look forward to showing you our project. 2934 N Estrella Ave, Tucson, AZ. For more info: fatherq@comcast.net and www.thehomingproject.org
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 - 9:30 am.
https://tucsonfoodshare.org has more information about volunteering, donating, or requesting delivery
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