The Passing of Queen Elizabeth

The death this week of Queen Elizabeth moved me to remember my mother, and an environmental victory in Mexico.

My British mother met my father shortly after World War II in London, got married, and set up life in the States. Our family was typically American, but mom made sure I understood and appreciated British culture. For me that included a huge enjoyment of British chocolate and candy, Sherlock Holmes and P.G. Woodhouse, finely made tea mugs, and a respect for the monarchy. I took a semester off from high school to live in England with my family, an education in itself!

In the early 1990s, when I was working with Native Seeds/SEARCH (NS/S), our founder Barney T. Burns led an effort to prevent the massive logging of Tarahumara lands in Mexico’s Sierra Madre. A World Bank loan would have funded this tragedy. Barney and Gary Nabhan rallied other environmental groups to oppose the plan. Our hopes were buoyed when we learned that Prince Charles, known for his commitment to sustainability, had convinced the royal family to speak out and make sure Mexico and other governments understood the project would destroy Tarahamara culture. Soon after this, the World Bank cancelled the loan project.

Our Ward 3 flag flies at half-mast in memory of a great woman. And here’s wishing that the reign of King Charles III will continue his strong work in the areas of climate change, protection of indigenous rights, and sustainable living.

- Kevin

Small Actions and Big Impacts by Katie Bolger

The top priority of the Ward 3 office is working to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change through policy decisions on the local level - policy decisions such as requiring properties to harvest rainwater or install EV (electric vehicle) infrastructure on new developments. Sometimes, it can feel like these policy changes move at a glacial pace, and we are doing too little too late - and sometimes its feels like individual actions are insufficient.

It is good to be reminded that every day decisions do matter.

Earlier this week California was on the verge of power outages due to the record breaking, extreme heat caused by climate change. A text message sent out by the State asking residents to turn off non-essential items led to an almost immediate drop in power consumption and averted potential black outs.

The result of a few million people turning off the equivalent of a couple lights can make a big difference. I find it hopeful that such a small action when done collectively creates a large (and in this case immediate) impact. Our climate crisis may feel overwhelming, but we can all make a difference.

Cyclovia Tucson Thrive in the 05 by Marlene Avelino

We are beyond excited for the opportunity to partner with Living Streets Alliance to bring Cyclovia to Ward 3 this October 30th! This brand new route is approximately 4 miles and will be connecting Dunbar Spring, Barrio Blue Moon, Old Pacsua, Bronx Park, Sugar Hill and Feldman’s neighborhoods. Tucson streets will be closed to motor vehicles to allow for walking, biking, roller skating, skateboarding, dancing, tumbling, slow cruising, shuffling, and every other form of movement. Council Aide Shannon Jenkins plans on hula-hooping, Council Aide CJ Boyd plans on riding his bike through the route, and I plan on chasing my children around. There will be 5 activity hubs - one each at Old Pascua, Mansfield Park, Pima Community College, Dunbar Pavilion, and Esquer Park. This is the 18th Cyclovia hosted in Tucson, and the previous one was hosted in March 2022 with over 50,000 attendees throughout the day.

Cyclovia Thrive in the 05 Route

Arizona Complete Health is also partnering up! From the press release: “Cyclovia is all about celebrating the vibrancy of our communities,” said Martha Smith, Arizona Complete Health Plan President. “This year, we are thrilled to host a health and wellness hub where people will be able to get cancer screenings, blood pressure checks, fresh fruits and vegetables, and learn about different health care coverage options to get healthy and stay healthy.” The health and wellness hub will be located at Mansfield Park.

There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer in support of this Cyclovia, and we encourage you to check out the various options for volunteering here: cycloviatucson.org/volunteer

Council Aide Shannon Jenkins enjoying volunteering at the April 2018 Cyclovia.

Cyclovia is a program of Living Streets Alliance, a non-profit advocacy organization that is part of the worldwide “Open Streets” movement. They "envision streets as living public spaces that connect people to places and to each other," and they advocate for street accessibility for alternate modes of healthy, sustainable transportation. You can learn more about this wonderful organization here: livingstreetsalliance.org/, and you can read the whole Cyclovia press release here: https://www.livingstreetsalliance.org/news/living-streets-alliance-presents-cyclovia-tucson-thrive-in-the-05

Campbell Grant Neighborhood by CJ Boyd

In the northeast corner of Campbell Ave. and Grant Rd. sits the neighborhood of Campbell Grant, stretching north to Glenn St. and east to Tucson Blvd.

The neighborhood is home to Connor Park, which was recently renovated and reopened with new play structures funded by 2018 voter-approved Proposition 407 bond funds. In the northwest corner of the neighborhood, there are two stravenues—a fun word I only recently learned, referring to a diagonal roadway, which is neither north/south like an avenue, nor east/west like a street—called E. Conner Stravenue and E. Rennoc Stravenue. These are both named after John J. Conner, an early developer in what is now Tucson. Notice that Rennoc is Conner spelled backwards.

Conner Park's new playground, installed earlier this year

Wilson Wash runs through the neighborhood and is the favorite feature of some residents. Some long time neighbors recall when the wash north of Copper was un-landscaped, and used to bloom with wildflowers. Sadly, part of the plan to increase the flow of the wash decades ago included clearing the wildflowers and planting Bermuda grass. 20-year Campbell Grant homeowner Kirsteen Anderson had this to say about the wash: “Wilson Wash gets much more flow now because water from the Tucson-Grant intersection is redirected there. We informally nicknamed Wilson Wash as “Car Wash” a few years ago after two vehicles attempted and failed to cross the ford at Copper St. One car, as I recall, held an elderly woman on oxygen and her caregiver (in his 70s?). Fortunately, some teenagers watching the water rise fished them out at Glenn St. The other car I believe held a mother and two young children, who also were rescued safely.”

Wilson Wash, north of Copper Street

There are no schools or churches in the neighborhood, but with Campbell and Grant as two of its border streets, the neighborhood features larger than typical offering of local restaurants and cafes. If I may say on a personal note, because our office is on Grant just a few blocks from Campbell, I regularly eat lunch at some of the fine establishments in this corridor.

The Campbell Shops at Water Street

On the east side of Campell Ave., between Glenn and Grant, you’ve got Pho Can Tho, Prep & Pastry, Blue Willow, Cartel Roasting Co, Bing’s Boba Tea, Goodness Fresh, Eegee’s, and Raging Sage Coffee Roasters. And just around the corner on Grant, you’ve got Upper Crust Pizza. The neighborhood was very sad to see Karuna’s Thai Plate close permanently, but we’re excited about the opening of Mojo Cuban Kitchen and Rum Bar on the corner Grant and Norris in the next month or two.

The construction site of Mojo Cuban Kitchen, hopefully opening in September.

Next Mayor and Council Meeting
The next Mayor and Council Meeting is on September 13, 2022.
Once available, the agenda will be posted here: Mayor and Council Meeting Agendas

Ward 3 Neighborhood Association and Coalition Meetings

Alvernon-Grant Initiative
Tuesday
September 13th
6:00- 7:00 pm
Emmanuel Church
1825 N. Alvernon Way

Country Glenn Neighborhood Association
Wednesday
September 14th
7:00- 8:00 pm
Pocket Park at Treat and Alturas
2525 N. Treat Ave.

Mountain View Neighborhood Association
Thursday
September 15th
5:30- 6:30 pm
Habitat for Humanity
3501 N. Mountain Ave.

Doolen-Fruitvale Neighborhood Association
Saturday
September 17th
8:30- 9:30 am
Sparkman Butterfly Garden
2645 N. Sparkman Ave.

Flowing Wells Neighborhood Watch
Saturday
September 17th
4:00- 5:00 pm
Old Times Kafe
1485 W. Prince Rd.

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 [email protected].

Ward 3 Events
Help update the master plan for the Rio Vista Natural Resource Park!
https://tucsondelivers.tucsonaz.gov/pages/riovista

Free Vaccines at the Humane Society

Balboa Heights Family Fun Night

Amphi Neighborhood Clean-Up

PCC Young Adult Re-Entry Program on Wednesday, September 14th

Police Officer Recruiting Open House on Wednesday, September 14th
     Tucson Police Department
     Westside Substation
     1310 W. Miracle Mile
     From 6:00 to 7:00 pm
     Sign Up Now

GOAT HEAD plant removal in Keeling Neighborhood  
EVERY THURSDAY MORNING in September from 7 am – 9 am

Joy Holdread is activating the GOAT HEAD plant removal program in the Keeling neighborhood. The goal is to remove every goat head plant growing between sidewalk area and street on the bike path Blacklidge to Fontana and Fontana heading south to Grant Rd.  Enjoy meeting your neighbors, taking out your frustrations on those miserable goat heads, and be a hero to every biker and dog who walks on our streets. Joy has made two great new friends met some lovely grateful puppies.

Please RSVP by email to [email protected]. If you’re unable to pull goat heads but would like to support the Goat Head Plant Removal Program in another way, please email [email protected].

Come Find Out What Mentoring is All About on September 15th & 17th

Mentoring 101 on September 15th & 17th

Buffelgrass Clean-Up in Country-Glenn! on Thursday, September 15th

Want to help stop a buffelgrass invasion before it hits the Country-Glenn Neighborhood?  Join with students from Sky Island High School from 1:30-2:30 on September 15. We will meet at on the north side of E. Glenn Street at the intersection with N. Richey Avenue. Please bring water, gloves, a shovel and a wear a hat. Snacks will be provided. If you have questions contact Mike at [email protected].

Ward 3 is Hosting an Public Gathering about Home Sharing on Thursday, September 29th!

When: 1:00-2:30
Where: The Ward 3 Community Room   
             1510 E. Grant Rd.

RSVP to [email protected] or 520-791-4711 to learn more about this affordable choice for senior living and meet like-minded persons. You'll have an opportunity to ask questions, and we'll teach you how to work towards a successful home sharing arrangement.

Ward 3 Ready, Set, Rec! in Ward 3

Barrio Blue Moon Block Party on Saturday, October 1st

Food Resources in the Amphitheater Community

Recursos de Comida en Ampitheater Community

Digital Literacy Forum on Tuesday, October 4th

Recycle Your Old Technology on Saturday, October 8th

Fresh Start Expo on Saturday, October 22nd

Services Include:
     - Civil rights restoration
     - Warrant resolution (misdemeanors)
     - Juvenile record expungement
     - Marijuana conviction expungement
     - Apply for government assistance programs such as SNAP, TANF, AHCCCS, WIC
     - Justice-friendly housing
     - Justice-friendly employers
     - Job fair hosted by Pima County One Stop
     - Education opportunities
     - Access to behavioral health and addiction services
     - Access to basic medical services
     - Clothing, haircuts, and more
     - COVID vaccine clinic

Cyclovia on Sunday, October 30th

City Wide Events

Southern AZ Climate Action Forum Webinar on  Thursday, September 22nd

These forum candidates are all passionate about halting climate change and anxious to address heat, water shortages, environmental injustice and a clean energy future for Arizona.  Register now to hear their plans for Arizona to meet these challenges!  

- 90 minute Webinar, Thursday, September 22nd at 7:00 pm -
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OTeQfwgSRVmXPJ_ya2zOvQ

Sign Up for Tucson's Climate Action Report!

You can use this link to subscribe to the Climate Action Report through the City Manager's Office: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/AZTUCSON/subscriber/new   

UA Global Climate Strike on Friday, September 23rd

Allyship in Ownership Online Course  

As part of the Tucson Alliance for Housing Justice's (TAHJ) multi-pronged approach to addressing evictions and homelessness, Justice Movement is offering a four-week course online for property owners, landlords, and folks who want to better understand how to engage in rent collecting in ethical and equitable ways.

Join Justice Movement founders Nat and Danya as they guide you through a deep dive into allyship and accountability: Register Here

Introduction to Kingian Nonviolence Workshop in October

Did You Know?
TEP Energy Efficiency Workshops

Volunteers Needed

Heat Relief Centers

The City of Tucson has opened six cooling centers, one in each city council ward, open from noon-6 p.m. The centers are located at Donna Liggins Center, 2160 N. 6th Ave.; El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Road; El Rio Center, 1390 W. Speedway Blvd; Morris K. Udall Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road; Randolph Center, 200 S. Alvernon Way; and William M. Clements Center, 8155 E. Poinciana Drive. Additionally, the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness has compiled a list of additional cooling stations and locations for water and supplies. Follow the link below for more information and locations.

Cooling centers

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]

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