ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT CONTINUES OPEN HOUSES THIS WEEK - The City of Tucson's Environmental and General Services Department (EGSD) is hosting open houses in each of the City’s six wards to present information about services available to residents and neighborhoods that support a clean community. The meetings are held in partnership with representatives from the Housing and Community Development department, the Tucson Police Department, and the Tucson Fire Department. The next open house will be Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 5:30 p.m., at the William M. Clements Center, 8155 E. Poinciana Drive. The in-person meeting will also be available virtually on Zoom (link below). EGSD will provide updated information about the Brush & Bulky+ program, neighborhood cleanups, and Code Enforcement. There will also be information about the City’s Homeless Protocol, which brings together staff from multiple departments who are working to provide services to the unhoused population, as well as addressing neighborhood concerns about encampments around the community.

Read the news release
Attend Zoom session on Feb. 15

BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROFILE: FRED ARCHER - The area surrounding what is now known as the Fred Archer Center, 1665 S. La Cholla Blvd., was first settled in the 1930s and 1940s by Black homesteaders. It was a dream of many of the "A" Mountain residents to have a center that would offer the community full recreational facilities. The goal of the neighborhood center was to provide social and recreational experiences to primarily residents of the general area. The "A" Mountain Neighborhood Center was completed in 1978. In 1988, the Tucson City Council voted to rename it after its first director, Fred Archer. He had been involved with the construction of the center and he was its director until his death in 1988 at the age of 67. Archer was an active member of the Tucson community, serving on Tucson’s Model Cities policy board and as a member of the Citizens Participation Council and the Affirmative Action Task Force. Fred Archer was also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1974 as a chief master sergeant.
Fred Archer Center

TUCSON PARKS AND RECREATION PAYS APPLICANTS TO GET LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION - Are you or someone you know looking for a part-time job? Tucson Parks and Recreation is hiring lifeguards to operate and maintain the safety at city pools year-round. The minimum age to be a lifeguard is 15 years old. Pay starts at $16.75/hour. The City will pay applicants to get their Lifeguard Certification through the City’s certification path. The lifeguard class is an intense, fast-paced course, and strong swim skills are required. All applicants must pass a swim test to qualify. For more information on becoming a lifeguard or to register for the swim test, follow the links below.
Lifeguard Information
Swim test registration

DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR HIGH SCHOOL BATTLE OF THE BANDS APPLICATIONS - Tucson Parks and Recreation is teaming up with Best Life Presents to host the High School Battle of The Bands. Bands with artists between the ages of 13-18 years old can apply now by following the link below for a chance to compete. All genres are welcome. Grand prize winners will record an album at Luna Recording Studios, get a short-run vinyl record pressing by Lathecuts.com, and host their own release show in Downtown Tucson, promoted by Best Life Presents. In addition, local boutique microphone company Cloud Microphones will be providing the People’s Choice award. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 5 p.m. The event will be held on Sunday, March 26, at noon, at Gene C. Reid Park's DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center.
Battle of the Bands

TUCSON WATER PARTNERS WITH 'WATER USE IT WISELY' - Tucson Water last year joined the "Water Use It Wisely" campaign, combining efforts with regional partners to spread the message about water conservation and how to take action to help save every drop. This has been an ongoing statewide campaign since 1999 and currently has 19 regional partners dedicated to delivering water conservation education and awareness in fun and engaging ways. Join in the action and start practicing conservation tips. Learn more and get involved by following the links below.
100+ water-saving tips
"Water Use it Wisely"
Sign up for "Water Use it Wisely" newsletter
Tucson Water