Kevin's Ward 3 News and Updates

Friday, May 20, 2022

News and Updates
Ward 3 Neighborhood Association/Coalition Meetings
Ward 3 Events
City Wide Events
Did You Know?

Beat The Heat: Stay Safe AND Help Fight Climate Change

Tucson’s summer is starting early, and by all accounts we will be facing record breaking temperatures again soon. Here are some tips and resources for dealing with it. Please take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones this summer. We must also make sure Tucson is fighting climate change and ensuring our most vulnerable are protected from its impacts. You can help: see below for an invitation to learn more about Tucson’s Climate Action plan.

Temperatures inside a car parked car will reach deadly temperatures faster than you think. Never – never ever – leave a child, pet, or vulnerable person in a car with the windows up.

A short hike in the afternoon can lead to heat exhaustion and death.  Even small exertion, such as yard work or walking outside in the afternoon a little too long can create dangerous situation.

A good summary of ways to avoid heat-related illness, or to deal with it once it happens, is available on Pima County’s Health Department website: www.pima.gov/heat.

The most reliable way to stay safe from extreme temperatures, is to be inside. The City will be providing cooling stations again this summer for those experiencing houselessness or those unable to adequately cool their homes. Locations are listed at https://tpch.net/resources/.

Please join the public workshop next week to advance the development of Tucson’s forthcoming climate action and adaptation plan.

Public Workshop: Envisioning a Climate-Resilient Tucson

Tuesday, May 24, 2022 | 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Tucson Convention Center

REGISTER VIA EVENTBRITE (see link below)

You are invited to participate in this workshop to share stories and ideas to help us envision and create a more climate-resilient Tucson. Your experiences and perspective will help lay the path to not only make sure that we equitably reduce carbon emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change, but also to ensure that our city is resilient and thrives in the face of climate change.

During this workshop, you will:

- hear from Tucson Mayor Regina Romero regarding the City’s climate action and adaptation efforts to date;

- learn more about Tucson’s forthcoming climate action and adaptation plan; and

- share your stories, ideas, hopes, and priorities for the plan with the City and fellow Tucsonans.

Please come if you can. Tuesday, May 24, at 8:30 a.m. at the Tucson Convention Center. Please register today via Eventbrite (https://tinyurl.com/22kz4xx3). Send any questions to [email protected].

Kevin

Chief Equity Officer by Katie Bolger

Laurice Walker was recently hired as the new Chief Equity Officer for the City of Tucson. She hails from Minneapolis, MN, where the rest of her family (as well as a twin brother) still reside. Asked what brought her to Tucson and the new position, she replied that when she saw the posting, she felt it was ”her dream job”

What is the role of a Chief Equity officer? Laurice says it is to “help align the City’s programs, policies and practices through an equity lens.” Laurice has been in her new role just over two months. She is in the process of building her team, including hiring two program managers. She is currently making the rounds, interviewing department directors and elected officials and she plans to be informally out in the community in the near future. She arrived here in February, so the heat – which she says she likes – was not her first impression of Tucson. Her first impression, she says, was the friendliness of the Tucson community. So lets give Laurice a warm Tucson welcome! The Ward 3 office wishes Laurice well in her new role and we look forward to working with her?

Samos Neighborhood by CJ Boyd

When Council Member Dahl tells people he has lived in Samos neighborhood for many years, the most often asked question is, “why is it named that?”

“You would think it would be called Salpointe, after the Catholic high school that makes up about a quarter of the neighborhood,” he replies. “When the neighborhood association formed years ago, (March 2001) we were not on good terms with the school – a situation that has changed 180 degrees. But back then we wanted a different name and settled on Samos, a Greek Island that was birthplace of the first person to build a house in the neighborhood”.

Salpointe Catholic High School Chapel and Administration building seen from Glenn

That person was Chris Mitcholis, who arrived in Tucson with his wife Frances in 1920 and purchased a great deal of land from Tucson pioneer Albert Steinfeld-a banker and local merchant. Mitchell Street and nearby Mitchell Park are named after Chris Mitchell.

The neighborhood stretches from Mountain Ave to Campbell Ave, Glenn Street to Grant Road. Like most of the Ward 3 neighborhoods, Samos began as an “Addition”, a subdivision outside city limits that was designated in the 1920s. The area went largely undeveloped until the late1940s and early 1950s. Samos was annexed into the city in 1953 as part of what was then known as North Campbell Estates.

Jerry Bolger, moved to the neighborhood with his parents and brother in 1947. At that time, the streets were dirt and the neighborhood was being built to meet the demand for post-war housing. Salpointe Catholic, which Jerry later attended wasn’t built yet. He recalls the price of the 2 bedroom brick house on E Water street went for about $9,000. His brother Diego, now lives in the house he grew up in.

Unlike other parts of Tucson and the United States at large, the racist “deed conditions” that we now know as redlining weren’t initially included in the Samos property deeds.Those conditions came later when Albert Steinfeld died in 1935 and his estate was taken over by his son Harold. At that time, owner/occupancy restrictions were added to property deeds owned by the Steinfeld estate, specifying that “anyone other than the Caucasian race” not be allowed to purchase or live in the subdivision. Prior to this “amendment of restrictions”, people of color could and did buy property in the subdivision. Francis Urquides, for example, was a Mexican American who bought his home on Martin Avenue in 1930, and lived there until his death in 1980, according to Samos: Stories that Built a Neighborhood by Katherine Lancaster and Barbara “Bam” Miller, a 2017 book that provided much of the material presented here.

To give an idea of how much Tucson grew in the 1950s, the city population went from 45,454 in 1950 to 212,892 in 1960. During this time, Samos saw some significant changes that shaped it into the neighborhood we know today. Prior to 1953, the road we now know as Grant Road was called North Street and was no bigger than any other neighborhood street. Between 1953-1957, this road was widened and adapted to the increased auto traffic, gaining the new name of Grant Road. In 1950, Salpointe Catholic High School was built on what had been an empty dirt field where neighborhood kids would play.

Council Member Dahl, his wife Bam Miller and son Brian Dahl have lived in Samos for 40 years. There is a block-long urban wash adjacent to their home where the neighborhood association holds quarterly potlucks. When Brian was growing up, he and his dad would kayak monsoon-filled streets and the wash.

The neighborhood association has planted trees, organized clean-ups, established a community bulletin board and free lending library and accomplished a traffic calming plan for the entire neighborhood that consists of traffic circles, islands and chicanes (small islands closer to the roadway’s edge). A recent project is the “Free Table” located near the neighborhood wash, a place where anyone can donate household items no longer needed or take from the table items left by others. Started at the beginning of the Covid pandemic, it became a place where neighbors could help clean out their house of clutter, look for treasures (kids especially love it) or just chat for a little while with a neighbor at a safe distance.

On a personal note: because the Ward 3 office is close, I walk through Samos almost daily to get lunch at one of the many eateries on Campbell. My favorite dishes include the Deluxe Poke bowl at Yoshimatsu Japanese Eatery, any of the papusas at Selena’s Salvadorian, the dark meat combo at Lucky Wishbone, and either the Shoyu or Tonkotsu at Ja Ramen.

One feature that contributes to the friendly feel of the neighborhood are the metal art pieces that can be found in yards and traffic circles.Much of that comes from folk artist Jerry Hall, a resident on Silver Street between 1980 and his passing in 2010. Known as the “Tin Man”, his many sculptures were made from recycled scrap metal, and donated to the neighborhood. Over time, this project was taken over by fellow local metal artist Joey Cisterna.

The one official park in Samos is Triangle Park, named after the shape it used to be before construction at Grant and Campbell turned it into at trapezoid (admittedly, Trapezoid Park, doesn’t have quite the same ring to it). Samos Wash is not technically a park, though it is used as one by neighbors. And though this is far from certain, the neighborhood association is currently working on establishing a linear park along the north side of Grant Road after the upcoming road widening. The hope is to have something like the one along the south side of Grant in Jefferson Park. It would provide some much-needed green space and abatement from the soon-to-be six lanes of Grant Road. Working to provide public input to the Grant Road widening project has also been a priority for the Samos Neighborhood Association.

Bike to Work Day by Marlene Avelino

Today, Friday, May 20th is National Bike to Work Day! Tucson has celebrated Bike to Work Day since 1994 and has been awarded Gold-level status for Bicycle Friendly Communities by the League of American Cyclists since 2006. The day is intended to bring awareness to the many benefits of commuting by bike. Even short rides have massive benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety, and improving happiness, mental focus, and sleep. Bicycles don’t use fossil fuels and don’t produce pollution. It’s easier to stop and smell the cactus blossoms when you’re on a bike. Bicycling is easier on our infrastructure and takes up less space. The League of American Cyclists believes ‘When more people ride bikes, life is better for everyone.’

With the voter approved passage of proposition 411, every Tucson neighborhood street will be resurfaced and $150 million will be spent on Safe Streets Projects that will include enhancing and installing sidewalks, improving existing bike lanes and implementing new ones, street lighting, and pedestrian crossings. All of these improvements will increase safety and accessibility for bicyclists and everyone that uses active modes of transportation.

“What I love about riding my bike to work is how it can improve my mood. If I’m overwhelmed or stressed, after a 15 minute bike ride to or from work, it all melts away,” Ben Elias.

How to ride your bike in Tucson! The city website has a page www.tucsonaz.gov/bicycle/maps with three different maps that can be used to plan your ride: Tucson Bikeways, The Loop, and a University of Arizona Bike Routes map. Included with the maps are explanations of different routes such Shared - Use Paths, Bike Boulevards, Separated Bike Lanes, Enhanced Bike Routes, and basic bike lanes. It also includes the locations of the modern streetcar, push-button crossing, traffic signals, and bike shops. 

One popular option is The Loop - 136 continuous miles of paved, shared-use paths for biking, walking, skating, any non-motorized mode of travel. The Loop connects the Rillito River Park, Santa Cruz River Park, and Pantano River Park with Julian Wash and the Harrison Greenway. Along the way are parks, trails, bus and bike routes, workplaces, and schools. Don’t forget the U of A for some easy biking moments. Their map includes bicycle parking, bus stops, bike valets, no car-access areas, and other helpful information. With students mostly gone for the Summer, the campus is a beautiful place to take a picnic and explore the many sweet, secret corners it has to offer.  

Don’t have a bike? Check out the city’s bike share program: www.tugobikeshare.com

“I never hate my commute when I ride my bike, only when I have to drive do I find myself feeling frustrated. Commuting by bike makes me feel free and alive, and I experience my community with all my senses.” Kylie Walzak.

Keep up with Tuson Bike news with Pedaling the Pueblo, a podcast produced by KXCI in partnership with Living Streets Alliance and underwritten by the City of Tucson. You can find them here: www.kxci.org/programs/pedaling-the-pueblo

Remember to always bring water, a bike lock, a light if riding after dark, and a bell! See you in the bike lane!

Ward 3 Neighborhood and Coalition Meetings

Flowing Wells Neighborhood Watch

Saturday

May 21

4-5 pm

Old Times Kafe

1485 W Prince Rd

RillitoBend Quarterly Meeting

Saturday May 21

1pm via ZOOM

Click HERE for agenda and ZOOM link

Keeling

Monday

May 23

7-8 pm

Please email [email protected] for zoom info

Jefferson Park

Wednesday

May 25

6-7 pm

Ward 3 Community Room

1510 E Grant Rd

Mountain View

Thursday

May 26

5:30-6:30 pm

Habitat Tucson

3501 N Mountain Ave

Amphi

Thursday

May 26

6:30-7:30

Amphi High School

Library Classroom

Alvernon/Grant Initiative

Crime Meeting with Tucson Police,     

Neighborhoods, and Businesses

surrounding Grant and Alvernon 

IN-PERSON

MASKS OPTIONAL    

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022

6:00PM

EMMANUEL CHURCH 1825 N ALVERNON

The Ward 3 office is open. Staff will answer phone messages, emails and requests for meetings by the next business day. Leave your message at 520-791-4711 or email at [email protected].

Ward 3 Events

Save the Date
Houseless Forum
Wednesday
June 8
Ward 3 Council Office
1510 E Grant Rd

The Fiesta in the 05 on Saturday June 4th is the kickoff event for the Thrive in the 05 Choice Neighborhoods Action Activities. The Fiesta will include free food, music, dancing, activities for kids, bike repair, and each project partner will present their project for the area. We will also have other Thrive in the 05 partners who will also be sharing information and collecting feedback including Southwest Folklife Alliance who in partnership with Ward 3 is undertaking a valuable Cultural Storytelling and Asset Mapping project. 

Please consider joining us at Richey Resource Center (2209 N 15^th Ave) from 5:30-8:30pm.

Action Activities | Thrive in the 05 (tucsonaz.gov)

Build Your Art!

Build your art! Build your community! Woods Memorial Library, 3455 N. First Ave, is organizing a youth-led Health Action Team where teens use art, writing, and the media arts to change the conversation in Tucson about youth mental health.

Writing and art workshops, conversations and planning are Wednesdays 2-5pm and Open-Labs are Fridays 2-5 pm in June and July. Projects can include

- photo and video journalism
- podcasting and conversations
- book trailers and short films
- social media advocacy
- creative non-fiction
- zine making and low-tech media
- poetry and writing
- art and photography
- whatever your interests!

Have fun this summer and help create this unique team. The direct link to apply is https://forms.gle/RpAqbD3eAa2bf36n7 Contact [email protected] for more info.

Food4Life Food distribution

Saturday, May 21st, at New Life Community Church of the Nazarene (3367 N. Geronimo). Sign-up begins at 8 a.m. There will be vegetables, fruit, packaged food, desserts, dairy, and some meat. You get to select your own food. There are no income, residency, or other requirements.

Clothing distribution from 8:30 to 9:30.

City Wide Events

Mobile Vaccination Clinics

Get answers to your questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. Check our FAQ's to find up-to-date information on distribution, safety and much more.

The variety of locations to get a COVID-19 vaccine makes it easier than ever to get a shot, but we know there are a lot of people still making up their minds.

To register someone who qualifies as an In-Home Long-Term Care Recipient, use this link.

PUBLIC WORKSHOP THIS MONTH ON CLIMATE RESILIENCY

Tucsonans are invited to participate in the "Envisioning a Climate-Resilient Tucson" workshop on Tuesday, May 24, from 8:30-11:30 a.m., at the Tucson Convention Center Copper Ballroom, 260 S. Church Ave. The workshop will allow participants to share their stories and ideas to help envision and create a more climate-resilient Tucson. Experiences and perspectives from those in attendance will help create the path to not only make sure that the City of Tucson will equitably reduce carbon emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change, but also ensure that our city is resilient and thrives in the face of that change. As part of the workshop, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero will speak about the City’s climate action and adaptation efforts to date. Register by following the link below, and send any questions to [email protected]. Register for the workshop Read the news release

Did You Know?

City is Hiring A Landscape Architect

The Landscape Architect manages the review of private development landscapes through a collaborative approach with the public, development community, and City staff to achieve the best possible results. This position will also supervise inspections staff who will work in the field to inspect landscapes, native plant preservation, and water harvesting design and compliance. This position may also serve as the point of contact for internal and external customers.

For more information go here.

GENE C. REID PARK MASTER PLANNING INFO EVENTS

If you had a magic wand, what would you change about Gene C. Reid Park? What do you love about the park today? In what ways would you like to see it grow, adapt, or change?

Take the Gene C. Reid Park map-based survey, now open to gather input about how the community uses the park and its priorities for the future. Input will in?uence the design ideas that are generated. The survey will close on Tuesday, May 31, at 11:59 p.m.

Period Poverty Donation Drive

Donation drive website: www.adelitasgrijalva.com/endperiodpoverty

Information sheet: https://allianceforperiodsupplies.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Arizona.pdf

Tucson Water Discounts

Call 520-791-5443 to make an appointment or visit this site for more information: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/water/low-income-assistance-program

COVID-19 Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance

Funding requests for unpaid rent and utilities are available for up to 12 months in arrears and three months in advance. Those without internet access can call (520) 447-4423 to apply, and bilingual case managers are available. Go to this site for more information.

We welcome your feedback !

Please feel free to email us at [email protected]

To subscribe to this newsletter please go to https://www.tucsonaz.gov/ward-3