|
|
* * * 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
|
|
Splash into Summer at your Neighborhood Pool! |
|
 Kevin’s note: this week’s intro article was written by Naomi Lee, who will be out of the office for a few months as she is expecting. Congratulations to Naomi and her family!
Summer is here, and Tucson’s public pools are the perfect way to beat the heat and enjoy the season. The City of Tucson’s pools will be open beginning Sunday, May 31, (with the exception of Jacobs) with free admission all summer for recreational swim. Please note that pools will be closed for Juneteenth (Friday, June 19) and Independence Day (Saturday, July 4).
 Kids swimming and enjoying the water cannon at Jacobs Pool
This summer, there are two pools open in Ward 3 for residents to enjoy. Thompson Pool, located at 2275 N 4th Ave, with its thrilling water slide, will be open Tuesday through Friday, 1 to 7pm, and Saturday and Sunday, from 11 am to 7 pm. Although we are all eagerly awaiting improvements at Jacobs Park to be completed later this summer, construction will not interfere with anyone taking a dip at Jacobs Pool. The pool and splash pad, located at 1020 W. Lind St., will be open Monday through Thursday, 2 to 7 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm.
 Kids swimming in the pool and enjoying the waterslide at Doris J. Thompson park.
Outside of the recreational swimming hours, Thompson Pool will be offering swim lessons. Thanks to a grant from the Pima County Health Department, Parks and Recreation can offer all lessons for free this season. Although sessions one and two are at capacity, enrollment will be open for sessions three and four on Monday, June 1, at 8 am for City residents.
 Two brothers enjoying the Nadia Jane Baker Splash Pad.
For those eager to cool off before the pools open, the City’s splash pads are already open through October 31! The Nadia Jane Baker Splash Pad in Balboa Park at 2536 N. Castro Ave is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am to sunset.
Happy summer season, everyone. I hope it's a relaxing, hydrated, and cool one!
-Naomi Lee
|
|
A Soldier's Best Friend
 Every week, we feature a “Pet of the Week” section in our newsletter. We do this in part to help the Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) empty some kennels and help save some animals from euthanasia. Also, because we are all dog and cat lovers. Despite this, the shelter is always operating at capacity or even exceeding it. Those conditions create trauma for the animals, and if they are not placed in a stable environment promptly, it could have lasting effects.
Our office recently learned of a very special non-profit that is coming into our ward that works with shelters to train dogs to become service dogs for veterans living with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Soldier’s Best Friend will officially open its doors next Monday on the corner of Country Club and Fort Lowell Road in the Winterhaven Square Strip Mall.
Veterans apply and go through a selection process that matches them up with a rescued dog so they can then begin a 6-9 month training program. There is no cost to the veteran. During this time, all medical needs are covered by the program, and the dog doesn’t belong to the vet until they graduate. Veterans build a bond with the dogs through consistent training, which in turn also creates trust and confidence in the animal as well as the battle-damaged service members.
Mohammed Zantout is one such veteran. He informed me that we has in a very bad place mentally when he started. Soon, he was matched up with Trigger, a black Labrador from a rescue in Sierra Vista. They went to classes twice a week and trained several times at home. Mohammed stated that the most important thing was the connection with the dog. “When you are in a bad spot mentally, and the dog comes from a rescue, you two are all you've got,” he told me. He went on to explain that a rescue dog comes with the trauma of being rejected and abandoned, so they are working out their trauma along with the veteran, which usually makes the bond stronger.
 Veteran Mohammed Zantout and his service dog, Trigger.
In order to graduate, dogs must be able to carry out 3 tasks: brace vets that stumble, be situationally aware, also referred to as “watching their six,” and wake the veteran up from nightmares. Aside from the wake-ups, the actions are subtle, but the dog is consistently monitoring their human for signs of danger. Equipped with heightened olfactory senses, dogs can detect cortisol spikes before the veteran is aware of a panic attack.
Not all rescue dogs make the cut, however. Specialists look for a certain temperament, behavior, and good health as well as age. Dogs older than 3 years do not get selected. The “aggressive” breeds, Pitbulls, Rottweillers, Dobermans, and such also do not qualify. So if you are looking for a companion and not a service dog, know that those breeds are the ones that get left behind the most, and could use a good home.
“Our vets have been forgotten by our country, but we (vets) have not forgotten what we went through. The dogs are another tool to manage the demons in our head, because you can’t just turn that off,” Mohammed told me.
There will be a benefit dinner on Thursday, June 4, at 6:00 pm at American Legion Morgan McDermott Post 7, 330 W Franklin St. If you would like to attend click on the button below to make reservations.
African Americans of Tucson Story Map Now Available
The City of Tucson's Historic Preservation Office has released the African Americans of Tucson Story Map. This interactive resource documents the neighborhoods, churches, schools, businesses, and gathering places that have shaped Tucson's African American community.
The Black Elks group of Tucson also historically known as the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World (IBPOEW).
The Story Map spans generations of community life in our city, from historic neighborhoods such as Dunbar/Spring and Sugar Hill to longtime businesses like Al's Barber Shop. It also showcases the history of locations like the Paul Laurence Dunbar School, one of the city's earliest schools for African American children, as well as fraternal organizations such as the Elks Lodge. It is organized into themes covering neighborhoods, commerce, travel, education, religion, social spaces, and landscapes significant to African American history in Tucson.
African Americans have been largely absent from traditional narratives about Tucson's history, with most research on the community emerging only within the last few decades. The Story Map, the result of a two-phase historic resources survey, builds a more complete public record and makes these findings accessible to all.
|
|
 ID# A857900
Age: 6 years
Qualities:
Alma is just a nice ol’ lady. Everyone who meets her calls her “the sweetest thing.” She has learned that if she just lies down while walking that her volunteer friends will be forced to pick her up. (Lol) In doggy playgroup Alma had loose body language and a low, wagging tail. She appropriately tolerated greetings from the other dogs through the fence. Once let into the yard, she was social and tolerant of the other dogs but preferred to keep to herself.
Alma 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# A900545
Age: 16 years
Qualities:
Arnold is a beautiful senior boy looking for a safe and loving place to spend his remaining time. He needs a dental, which PACC can provide, and he's also on a daily med for hyperthyroidism. Arnold is just the nicest boy, laying quietly next to you in his kennel or happily standing up to take in all the love and cuddles you will offer. We would love to see Arnold leave as a pre-adoption so that we can feel confident he is in his final home.
Fee:
Arnold 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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Next Mayor & Council Meeting |
|
|
The next Mayor and Council Meeting will be on Tuesday, June 9.
Once available, the agenda will be posted here:
|
|
Ward 3 Neighborhood Meetings |
|
|
Fort Lowell Corridor Crime and Safety Meeting
Every third Tuesday of the month, 5:30 – 6:30 PM
AGM, 3544 E. Fort Lowell Rd.
La Madera Neighborhood Association Meeting
Saturday, 6/6, 9 am
La Madera Park
2700 E La Madera Drive
Keeling Neighborhood Association Meeting
Monday, 6/8, 7-8 pm
Cornerstone Fellowship Church
2902 N Geronimo Ave.
Balboa Heights Neighborhood Association Meeting
Tuesday, 6/9, 5:30-7 pm
Marty Birdman Center
2536 N Castro Ave.
Desert Mallow Neighborhood Association
Wednesday 6/10, 6-7 pm
Ward 3 Community Room
1510 E. Grant Rd.
|
|
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
Sunday, May 31
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.
Friday, June 20
9 AM - 11 AM
The Ward 3 Community Room
1510 E. Grant Rd.
Saturday, July 18
9:30 AM- 1 PM
WeCare Tucson
3029 N Stone Ave.
|
|
Balboa Heights Neighborhood Association Officer Elections
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.
-
Donna Liggins Center, 2160 N. 6th Ave.
-
El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Road., Building #9
-
Fred Archer Center, 1665 S La Cholla Boulevard
-
Freedom Center, 5000 E. 29th St.
-
Morris K. Udall Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road.
-
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.
|
|
We welcome your feedback!
|
|
|
|
|
