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* * * This message has been distributed by the City Manager's Office. All content contained in this message is an expression of the elected official. * * *
From: Ward 3
Contact: 791-4711 or ward3@tucsonaz.gov
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Memorial Day and the Start of Summer Reading |
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 On Monday our nation observes Memorial Day, a holiday to honor all men and women who died while serving in the United States military. Please take time to remember their service and sacrifice.
Traditionally, the three-day Memorial Day weekend also marks the beginning of summer, which makes me think of summer reading. I love getting lost in a stack of great books each summer, do you? If so, here are some suggestions.
When you were a kid, did you ever participate in a library summer reading program to receive prizes? This still happens! Beginning Tuesday, June 2, through Friday, July 31, youth can visit any library branch to pick up a book to keep for their collection and a reading tracker. For every 20 minutes read, a dino track is marked off. Fun prizes are earned along the way, culminating with a Summer Reading Certificate and MOD Pizza Kids Meal Certificate (while supplies last). More details, including all the great events at library branches this summer, can be seen by clicking on the following button.
This year the library, along with some partners, is providing an adult version of the summer reading program. Click on the follwing button for more details.
 One book I finished recently, and highly recommend, is Logan Phillip’s new memoire, Reckon – a delicious combination of poetry, stories, and graphics that explores growing up in southern Arizona, his family history, and tales told about the Wild West. Logan has just been named Tucson’s Poet Laureate. He gave a moving invocation at the City’s last Council meeting.
You can look for Logan’s book(s) in Tucson’s local bookstores: Antigone, Desierto, Mostly Books, Bookman’s, Revolutionary Grounds Books and Coffee, or Stacks Book Club. But please do check out a new bookstore in Ward 3. Homeward Books is located at 3054 N First Avenue, Unit 8, in the Many Hands Courtyard, and just a few blocks south of the Woods Memorial Branch Library. Collectively owned, it sells a wonderful selection of new and used books, comics, and games. I like that they accept gently used books, comics and games in trade. If they don’t have a book you seek, they can order it (such as Reckon).
Another Ward 3 reading institution is the amazing nonprofit Literacy Connects, which works to build literacy among youth and adults or as their mission states, “connecting people of all ages to a world of opportunities through literacy and creative expression.” Located in the Amphi Neighborhood at 200 E. Yavapai Road, they train volunteers to work one-on-one with students and others who need to improve their reading skills. They need more volunteers and donations of books.
Another important nonprofit is Friends of Pima Public Library. You can build your personal collection and support the libraries at the same time by attending their monthly book sale at 2230 N. Country Club (which includes DVDs, CDs, vinyl, and games). And by donating books you no longer need.
There is a sale this weekend, so on Monday you can purchase a bag of items you select for only $10. As that will be Memorial Day you might slip into your bag a book or two from the American History section.
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 Ward 3 Resident Karla Toledo Abduction
 Monday morning in a neighborhood in Ward 3 began with heart-wrenching pleas of “Where is the warrant?! Show me the warrant?!” One of our residents was violently abducted from her home by ICE agents. Karla Toledo is a DACA recipient who was here legally. She arrived in the United States nearly 30 years ago as a baby. She has made a life here and knows only this country as her home. She had a valid work permit. She was a member of several local organizations dedicated to assisting people in need, even helping families pay for utilities and rent. She is by every measure a productive member of our community. There is no history of violence on her record, but the Trump administration would have you believe people like her are a threat to our country. There is an ugly pattern of people like Karla being targeted and persecuted.
Ward 3 resident Karla Toledo.
Karla was taken to the local ICE headquarters and promptly shipped to a facility in Eloy. There was an immediate outrage in our community. Civic leaders like Congresswoman Grijalva, Mayor Romero, several Tucson City Council members, including Council Member Kevin Dahl, were quick to speak out and call attention to the issue. By Thursday, immigration attorney Mo Goldman had taken the case and informed the public that Karla had secured a bond of $1500 and was set to be released soon.
Karla’s case serves as a bellwether for ICE activity in our region. The agency is targeting people with legal protection under the law and doing so WITHOUT warrants. Ms. Toledo is a an influencer and community activist; her case was brought to the attention of the public because she is pretty well-known, rightly so, due to her hard work helping others and advocating in our community. I am glad she is being released. But we need to do better. What of those immigrants who are not as well known? The cleaning lady, the landscaper, the child caregiver, who just keep their heads down, trying to scrape by and make ends meet. They have also been abducted and continue to be.
In fact, there is a facility in Eloy and elsewhere full of lesser-known Karla Toledos.
Living Streets Alliance in the Amphi Neighborhood
This week we met with staff from Living Streets Alliance, the community non-profit that brings Cyclovia to our streets every year. LSA is known for their andvocacy, outreach and community building. They came to share a new project they are working on in the Amphi neighborhood. LSA in partnership with the Pima County Health Department’s REACH program worked with the Amphi Women and Girls Union (AWGU). Fifteen Amphi residents lead a neighborhood walk-audit having conversations with their neighbors about pedestrian infrastructure, safety, and community needs in three languages! English, Spanish, and Dari.
Conversations and questions such as What would make it more convenient to walk to your neighborhood grocery store? What improvements would make it safer to ride your bike to school? What’s it like when you ride the bus to your medical appointments, to the store, or to visit family?
 Living Streets Alliance Members meeting with Council Member Dahl and his staff at the Ward 3 Office.
These are everyday questions with real public health implications. How people get to school, work, the grocery store, or the doctor’s office shapes their physical and mental well-being, our ability to connect with others. The goal is to find areas for improvement via programs, infrastructure and policy-all centered on people’s everyday experiences.
After the walk, everyone celebrated with music, food, and free bike repair along with a raffle to give away 8 bikes. The kids had a blast and they hope to return in December for a community-led bike ride and Artisan Market with Building Bridges Community Center.
The outcome of these conversations will lead to a community led“quick-build” traffic calming /safety project sometime in early Fall. Stay tuned for more details…
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 ID# A885047
Age: 4 years
Qualities:
Mojo generally refers to personal charisma or charm and boy does this sweet pup have tons of both!! During a short stay in a foster home Mojo was house trained, enjoyed going on walks, and was an energetic and athletic houseguest. Here’s what we know:
- He’s well behaved when left home alone
- He is sweet, loving and loyal
- He’s a playful boy who likes hiking
Mojo 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# A828448
Age: 10 years
Qualities:
Uma is a truly stunning cat with a magnetic presence and a whole lot of affection—for the right person. We’ve learned that Uma has a clear preference for male humans, and when she finds her person, she’s deeply loving and devoted. Uma would like to be the only cat in the home, where she can soak up all the attention without competition. To help her navigate stress and feel more comfortable, she’s currently taking kitty Prozac mixed into her food, which has been helping her cope and show her best self. This girl isn’t for everyone—but for the right male purrson who understands her needs and respects her boundaries, Uma has so much love to give.
Fee:
Uma 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.
Fee:
Pets have 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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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 520-791-4711.
The Ward 3 Office will be closed Monday May 25, 2026 in observance of the Memorial Day Holiday.
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Next Mayor & Council Meeting |
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The next Mayor and Council Meeting will be on Tuesday, June 9.
Once available, the agenda will be posted here:
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Ward 3 Neighborhood Meetings |
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Fort Lowell Corridor Crime and Safety Meeting
Every third Tuesday of the month, 5:30 – 6:30 PM
AGM, 3544 E. Fort Lowell Rd.
Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association
Wednesday 5/27, 5:30-7 pm
Ward 3 Community Room
1510 E Grant Rd.
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Saturday, May 23
9-10:30 AM
Blue Moon Community Garden
1375 N 13th Ave.
Monday, May 25
10 AM
Southside Presbyterian Church
317 W. 23rd St.
Wednesday, May 27
6 - 7 PM
Online
Saturday, May 30 & Thursday, June 4
Saturday, May 30th from 9:30 – 11AM
McCormick Park
2950 N Columbus Blvd
Tuesday, June 4th from 5:30 – 7PM
Martha Cooper Library
1377 N Catalina Ave
Saturday, May 30
7 - 9 PM
Valley of the Moon
2544 E Allen Rd
Sunday, May 31
7:30 - 11 AM
Kennedy Park Ramada #33
3700 S Mission Rd.
Monday, June 1 - August 3
7 PM
St. Francis in the Foothills,
4626 E. River Rd.
Monday, June 8 - 12
9 AM-12 PM
BICAS,
2001 N 7th Ave
Tuesday, June 16
5:30 - 7 PM
Pima Community College Downtown Campus
1255 N. Stone Ave.
Friday, June 19
10 AM - 8 PM
The Drawing Studio
2760 N Tucson Blvd.
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Railroad Underpass Project Work Over Grant Road And Closure
May 22 - August 5, 2026 - Construction activities will begin on the Grant Road underpass at the Union Pacific Railroad, closing eastbound and westbound travel on Grant Road in the project area. Grant Road will reopen to traffic on August 5, 2026.
VITA Extended Tax Prep Help Through October
 
City Of Tucson Announces Cooling Centers For
Extreme Summer Heat Relief
From Monday, June 1, to Sunday, Sept. 30, the City of Tucson will operate six cooling centers to provide temporary designated areas for the public to utilize and escape the heat during peak hours. The cooling centers will operate on a seven day a week schedule and will be extended an additional month this year to incorporate the month of September. All City operated cooling centers are located along Sun Tran bus routes, ensuring they remain accessible to keep vulnerable community members safe from extreme heat.
The six City-operated cooling centers will be open daily from noon – 4 p.m., including the City observed holidays on Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth), Friday, July 3 (Independence Day observed), and Monday, Sept. 7 (Labor Day). The centers will also be open on July 4th.
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Donna Liggins Center, 2160 N. 6th Ave.
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El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Road., Building #9
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Fred Archer Center, 1665 S La Cholla Boulevard
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Freedom Center, 5000 E. 29th St.
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Morris K. Udall Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road.
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Randolph Center, 200 S. Alvernon Way
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.
RFQ I Public Artist Roster
 Deadline: May 26, 2026
Are you an artist interested in public art? Apply for the Public Artist Roster, a list of pre-qualified artists or artist teams working in various media. The Roster is for public art projects with budgets of $100,000 or below. It opens every two years, and selected artists serve a two-year term
Prop 411 Spring Pavement Preservation
This pavement preservation project will quickly move through different areas in the City of Tucson over the course of about three weeks.
The crack seal has already been done, and beginning Monday, crews will begin the prep work. The prep work for all 3 areas will take about 2 weeks to complete. The fog seal is scheduled to begin in early June and will take roughly a month to complete.
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:
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
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
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.
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We welcome your feedback!
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