Holiday Lights!

Saturday night, Ward 3 staff CJ Boyd, Shannon Jenkins, Mike Edmonds, and I rode bicycles in the Downtown Parade of Lights in Armory Park as part of a group representing four City Ward offices. Credit goes to Council Member Steve Kozachik for thinking that this might be more fun than a float or a open convertible. He recruited Tugo Bike Share (https://tugobikeshare.com) to provide the bikes, all decorated with glitz and lights. Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz and Council Member Nikki Lee, along with family members and staff, were also part of this incredibly fun event.

Tucson Council Members from left to right: Lane Santa Cruz, Kevin Dahl, Nikki Lee, and Steve Kozachik

I have to say that it is rather hard to ride a bike, in a group, at the slow pace of a parade. But we did it with no accidents! The parade was very well attended. At the end I was hoarse from saying “Merry Christmas” to children who eagerly waved back and returned my greeting.

From left to right: Council Aide Shannon Jenkins, Council Aide CJ Boyd, Council Member Kevin Dahl, and Council staff Mike Edmonds

This weekend I saw a similar sort of holiday excitement as I watched children and families enjoy the many creative holiday displays in the Winterhaven neighborhood. Free of charge (donation to the Community Food Bank requested), this light show is a longtime Tucson tradition. In last week’s newsletter CJ Boyd gave lots of details about the event. I want to thank Andy Squire from the Manager’s office for the great job of facilitating city departments (Police, Environmental Services, etc.) in an effort to make sure problems experienced last year – like traffic, litter, and parking – were dealt with to the best of our ability. So far, we have received very few complaints.

There are two other places to view fantastic holiday lights in Tucson, but both require an entrance fee (which is worth it and supports these worthy institutions). Zoo Lights 2022 (https://reidparkzoo.org/event/zoolights-2022/) and the Tucson Botanical Garden’s Lights Up! A Festival of Illumination (https://tucsonbotanical.org/event/lightsup/).

Happy Holidays!

- Kevin

Next Mayor and Council Meeting
The next Mayor and Council Meeting is on Wednesday, January 11th.
Once available, the agenda will be posted here: Mayor and Council Meeting Agendas

Ward 3 Neighborhood Association and Coalition Meetings
There are no neighborhood association or coalition meetings in Ward 3 from December 22nd through December 31st.

The Ward 3 office is open open at 1510 E. Grant Rd. from 9 am - 1 pm. 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].

Please note that our office will be closed on the following dates:     
Friday, December 23rd, 2022
Monday, December 26th, 2022
Monday, January 2nd, 2026

Ward 3 Events
Cookies with Santa at the Marty Birdman Center on Friday, December 23rd

Grocery Sharing at Tucson Food Share - 2500 N. Stone Ave.

Mondays and Thursdays 6pm-8pm
Saturdays 8am-10am

Winterhaven Festival of Lights! December 10th through 26th

The 73rd Annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights opened Saturday, Dec. 10, and continues through Monday, Dec. 26, from 6-10 p.m. nightly. This holiday celebration is also a major fundraiser for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. This year, the City of Tucson and the Winterhaven neighborhood are asking our community to think about how to make this event better for all of us, including not speeding near the event area, paying close attention to signage and traffic signals, parking at only approved areas, carpooling or using public transit, and properly disposing of garbage. For the full list of community guidance,click here

Tucson CSHW Winter Sock Drive now through January 30th

As part of the Homeless Protocol initiative, the Community Safety, Health and Wellness program has recently increased outreach to our unsheltered neighbors. The weather is only going to get colder, and the number one request from the campers is socks! The CSHW program is reaching out to the community for donations of unused socks in all sizes now through the end of January. Donations can be dropped in the collection box at the Ward 3 office at 1510 E. Grant Rd.

Accepting Applications for Housing Programs including Section 8!

The pre-application period for families and individuals seeking to be placed on a waitlist for public housing, and Section 8 vouchers for the City of Tucson and Pima County will be open from Tuesday, Jan. 3, through Tuesday, Jan. 24. All applications received in this three-week window will be placed in a lottery. Applicants in the lottery will be selected randomly by computer to be placed on the waitlist in the order they were selected. Applications will be available in English, Arabic, Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, Swahili, and Vietnamese. In addition, assistance will be provided in alternative formats. Public sites with computers will be open during the application period. A list of those sites, the online application, and more information are available here

Beware of scams! The City of Tucson is seeing an increase in scams and false links. Do not fill out any application before Jan. 3 or on any site except waitlist.tucsonaz.gov. The City of Tucson will not ask for your social security number, any form of payment (credit card number, cash, bank transfer, etc.), or legal status to apply.

Se Acceptan Solicitudes para los Programas de Vivienda Incluyendo Sección 8

Ready, Set, REC! in Ward 3 this Month

Join Your Local Community Garden!

Plots are available at locations across town through the Community Gardens of Tucson. You can rent a 3 ft X 20 ft garden plot with automatic drip irrigation to grow your own food! Garden tools and supplies are provided on-site. Contact [email protected] or call 520-795-8823 for more information.

These Ward 3 gardens currently have available plots:
Mansfield Garden - 2000 N. 4th Ave.
Blue Moon Garden - 1510 N. Oracle Rd
Keeling Garden - 2919 N. Los Altos
Homer Davis Garden - 4250 N. Romero Rd.
Presidio Garden - Near Fort Lowell and Country Club

City Wide Events
Read Tucson Water's Guide to Responsible Desert Dwelling

Tucson Water packaged its top water-saving tips and resources into a user-friendly online guide that also shares some of the regions unique water history and culture. The Guide to Responsible Desert Dwelling is part of a new public information campaign called "Tucson Water Runs Deep," which celebrates Tucsonans' shared heritage of wise water stewardship and seeks to educate residents on what it means to be a responsible desert dweller. View the online guide here or pick up a paper copy at the Ward 3 office at 1510 E. Grant Rd.

Which Water Management Strategies are Most Important to You?

The One Water 2100 master planning process, through public feedback, identified water supply and conservation as the top two areas of concern. Now, Tucson Water needs your help to guide long-range decisions about Tucson's water management practices and its Capital Improvement Program. Follow the One Water 2100 website link below and take the water management strategy survey. Share the survey with friends, family, and neighbors because community input is important to our water future. You can take a quick look at the Our Water Story before taking the survey. This interactive tool provides an overview of what the One Water approach is, information about Tucson’s water resources, and highlights some of the conservation program achievements. The survey will be online through January 31st. Take it and learn more here

Sign Up for Tucson's Climate Action Report!  

2022 Climate Action Measurements from the December 16th 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

Home Heating Tips from the Tucson Fire Department

With cold temperatures upon us, Tucson Fire Department (TFD) Deputy Chief Barrett Baker has some tips on keeping you warm and safe during our cooler months. Watch the video here for safety tips, such as keeping potentially flammable objects at least 3 feet away from a space heater and turning it off when you leave the room or go to sleep, keeping your furnace room clear of anything flammable and having it inspected at least once a year, and making sure the flue is open when using your fireplace and not using too much wood.

Did You Know?
Connect Arizona Affordable Connectivity Program

Tech Volunteers Needed

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.