Ward-2 - Posted October 6, 2014
If you aren't already registered, remember that today is the last day for voter registration if you expect to vote in the general election. You can come by our office at 7575 East Speedway to register before five and we will make sure to get the forms to the recorder's office.
There is also curbside registration until 10 pm available at a Ward 2 location. Here are the details from Pima County Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez:
Ward-3 - Posted October 3, 2014
NewsNet - Posted October 3, 2014
ARIZONA TO OPEN TRADE AND INVESTMENT OFFICE IN MEXICO - The Arizona Mexico City Trade and Investment Office opens tomorrow in Mexico City. Arizona dignitaries will be in attendance to celebrate the strategic expansion of Arizona's presence and investment in Mexico. "This is a step in the right direction for the State of Arizona. The Mexico City trade office will definitely help improve Arizona's image in Mexico City and give us access to business opportunities," said Juan Francisco Padrés, Tucson's economic development specialist for international trade. "The City of Tucson will also benefit from the office and its staff who are there to help us identify prospects and supply chain opportunities in Mexico's largest and most important city." The trade office in Mexico City will be led by the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), in partnership with the City of Phoenix, with additional support from the City of Tucson, Maricopa Association of Governments, and Visit Phoenix. Governor Jan Brewer and the Arizona Legislature made a commitment of $300,000 to the ACA to establish and manage the office. Read more from Greater Phoenix in Business.
VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE TONIGHT - If you haven't registered to vote in the Nov. 4 General Election in Arizona, you have until midnight tonight to submit your form. The Pima County Recorder's Office currently is offering curbside voter registration in front of its downtown office in the Old County Courthouse (115 N. Church Ave) until 10 p.m. The Recorder's eastside office (6920 E. Broadway Blvd., Suite D) will offer the same service from 5-10 p.m. A new voter registration form must be completed by anyone who has moved, changed their name since their last registration, is new to Pima County, or would like to change their party affiliation. You also can register online.
HOLIDAY ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR: CALL FOR VENDORS - Applications are available for artists who wish to participate in the Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair, Nov. 29-30. The event has been held for more than two decades, attracting vendors from all over the Southwest. The Tucson Parks and Recreation Department is seeking artists, crafters, photographers, painters, potters, jewelers, and more to sell their original artwork. All items must be handmade and are subject to approval. The Arts and Crafts Fair will be held in Reid Park, west of the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center. Registration is open through Nov. 14. Walk-in registration begins tomorrow at 900 S. Randolph Way, in the Registration Office. The fee is $90 for a 10 x 10 arts and craft vendor space for the two-day event.
SPEND SUNDOWN WITH THE ELEPHANT HERD AT REID PARK ZOO - The Reid Park Zoo is hosting a "Sundowner" tomorrow with Nandi the elephant calf, and the rest of the herd, at 5 p.m. in Expedition Tanzania. In Africa, a Sundowner refers to cocktails at sunset in a beautiful outdoor setting. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages while listening to stories of baby Nandi’s recent birth and her early days on exhibit. You’ll also have the opportunity to tour the Elephant Care Center. Elephants Lungile and Punga will be offered enrichment items to play with, and you'll even have the chance to see Nandi up close. Check-in for the Sundowner begins at 4:45 p.m. tomorrow at the Zoo’s main entrance. The event begins at 5 p.m. Proceeds from this event will benefit Reid Park Zoo’s education programs, capital projects, and conservation efforts.
FOLLOW THE PROGRESS ON THE DOWNTOWN LINKS PROJECT - The City of Tucson and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) have a Downtown Links website to give citizens information and updates on one of the largest transportation projects in Tucson. The $76 million project will result in a four-lane roadway north of the Union Pacific Railroad that will link Barraza-Aviation Parkway and Interstate 10, Broadway Boulevard with 4th Avenue, and downtown with the neighborhoods to the north. Downtown Links also will provide alternate access to downtown, new and safer underpasses and railroad crossings, and improved sidewalks and bike paths.
Ward-5 - Posted October 3, 2014
CITY SEEKING COMMENTS ON POSSIBLE CHARTER CHANGES - Tucson's Charter Review Committee is asking for public comments as it reviews and makes recommendations regarding possible amendments to sections of the Tucson City Charter. A public meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, at City Hall (255 W. Alameda, 1st floor). Comments will be accepted through 2015, and potential amendments to the City Charter may be on the Nov. 3, 2015 City ballot. All comments should be made via email to the City Clerk’s Office, cityclerk@tucsonaz.gov.
NewsNet - Posted October 3, 2014
CITY SEEKING COMMENTS ON POSSIBLE CHARTER CHANGES - Tucson's Charter Review Committee is asking for public comments as it reviews and makes recommendations regarding possible amendments to sections of the Tucson City Charter. A public meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, at City Hall (255 W. Alameda, 1st floor). Comments will be accepted through 2015, and potential amendments to the City Charter may be on the Nov. 3, 2015 City ballot. All comments should be made via email to the City Clerk’s Office, cityclerk@tucsonaz.gov.
PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT FOR PROPOSED BIKE SHARE PROGRAM - The City of Tucson is exploring the possibility of a public bike share program for the region. Bike share programs let people use a public bicycle on a short-term basis. More than 30 cities in the United States have launched such programs for their residents and tourists, and 15 more cities are expected to launch shared-use bike programs by the end of the year. “This is an exciting project that has the potential to leverage our investment in the Sun Link Streetcar and continues the progress Tucson is making in terms of downtown revitalization and economic growth,” said Ann Chanecka, the City of Tucson’s bicycle & pedestrian coordinator. Anyone interested in learning more about public bike share programs, or wanting to provide input in the early stages of the discussion, is invited to a public input session on Monday, Oct, 6, at 6 p.m. in the basement of the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave. Read the news release.
Tucson Bicycle & Pedestrian Program
MULTI-USE PATH DEDICATION TOMORROW FOR TOUMEY PARK - After two years of community involvement and planning, a new eight-foot-wide, paved walking path with ADA access and drinking fountains will be dedicated tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Toumey Park, 4500 E. Eastland St. The path has been coated with a heat reducing epoxy paint to minimize the heat stored and radiated back from black asphalt, and lights and electrical outlets have been installed under the ramada. The new path helps improve walkability in the neighborhood and provides opportunities for fitness to the community. Funding for the $488,000 project came from Pima County Neighborhood Reinvestment Funds.
Tucson Parks and Recreation
DOWNTOWN WAREHOUSE WALK TOMORROW - Art enthusiasts will have a chance tomorrow to explore the arts district along Toole Avenue. The Warehouse Arts Managment Organization (WAMO) is hosting the the free WAMO Walk, a collaboration of galleries, studios, and other spaces in Downtown Tucson that will offer open studios, free live music, and other things. As many as 50 studios will welcome the public for the walk, which will stretch along Toole Avenue, from Sixth Avenue to Stone. There will be a light sculpture garden at the parking lot at 174 E. Toole, and food trucks will be on site. The parking lot will also have a stage for music and several projection screens. The WAMO Walk runs from 5-10 p.m. tomorrow. Read more from Downtown Tucson Partnership.
TUCSON'S LINCOLN PARK TO HOST JENNIE FINCH SOFTBALL CAMP - The City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Department, Visit Tucson, and Pima Community College will host the Jennie Finch Softball Camp at the Lincoln Park Softball Complex, 8116 E. Escalante Road, Nov. 8-9. The camp is open to all girls in the third grade and up. Former UA Softball standout Jennie Finch and her Olympic and professional softball teammates will offer two full days of personal instruction covering all aspects of softball. Advanced registration is required, and participation is limited for the fee-based camp. Read the news release.
Ward-5 - Posted October 2, 2014
The City of Tucson is exploring the potential of a public bike share
program for the region. Bike share programs are a service where people
can use a public bicycle on a short-term basis. More than 30 cities in
the U.S. have launched this new transit option for their residents and
tourists, and 15 more cities are expected to launch this shared-use
program by the end of the year, including Phoenix.
TDOT - Posted October 2, 2014
The City of Tucson is exploring the potential of a public bike share program for the region. Bike share programs are a service where people can use a public bicycle on a short-term basis. More than 30 cities in the U.S. have launched this new transit option for their residents and tourists, and 15 more cities are expected to launch this shared-use program by the end of the year, including Phoenix.
Ward-5 - Posted October 2, 2014
TCC KITCHEN TO BE INCLUDED IN ARENA RENOVATION - The Rio Nuevo Board voted yesterday to add an additional $300,000 to its Tucson Convention Center (TCC) renovation contract to fix plumbing, ceilings, walls, the floor, and equipment in the kitchen and concession areas of the TCC. The money is in addition to the $7.8 million in arena upgrades already underway at the facility. Although the kitchen renovation will become part of Rio Nuevo’s overall makeover of the TCC, the City is paying for the kitchen work to improve the health and safety of the area.
Ward-5 - Posted October 2, 2014
Pima County Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez would like to remind voters that the deadline to register to vote in the November 4, 2014, General Election is midnight, MONDAY, OCTOBER
6, 2014.
Ward-5 - Posted October 2, 2014
The Tucson Mayor and Council has appointed a Charter Review Committee to make recommendations regarding possible changes to the City of Tucson Charter.
The Committee is seeking input and recommendations from the citizens of Tucson regarding the Charter. The next meeting of the Committee is:
October 6, 2014
Tucson City Hall, 1st Floor Meeting Room
255 W. Alameda Street
4:00 p.m.
Comments can also be submitted at: cityclerk@tucsonaz.gov
NewsNet - Posted October 2, 2014
TCC KITCHEN TO BE INCLUDED IN ARENA RENOVATION - The Rio Nuevo Board voted yesterday to add an additional $300,000 to its Tucson Convention Center (TCC) renovation contract to fix plumbing, ceilings, walls, the floor, and equipment in the kitchen and concession areas of the TCC. The money is in addition to the $7.8 million in arena upgrades already underway at the facility. Although the kitchen renovation will become part of Rio Nuevo’s overall makeover of the TCC, the City is paying for the kitchen work to improve the health and safety of the area. “They asked if they could piggyback on the contract and they would pay for everything,” said Rio Nuevo Chairman Fletcher McCusker. Working with the existing TCC contractor will expedite the repairs and provide a cost savings to the City. Pending Mayor and Council approval, the money for the repairs would come out of the City's contingency fund and savings on medical contracts. The kitchen fixes are expected to be finished in December, after the other repairs are finished. Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.
MEXICAN BASEBALL RETURNS TO TUCSON TONIGHT - The Mexican Baseball League is back at Kino Stadium, tonight through Sunday, for its fourth annual Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta. The tournament, sponsored Visit Tucson and Cox Communications, features eight games between some of the best and most popular professional baseball teams in Mexico. Visit Tucson reports last year's Mexican Baseball Fiesta generated about $$350,000 for Tucson and Pima County. Read more from Tucson News Now.
Watch 2011 video from Tucson 12 archives
PHOENIX TO START SAVING WATER IN TUCSON - The City of Phoenix will soon begin diverting its share of Colorado River to Tucson. Phoenix will purchase space to store the water in Tucson aquifers, as part of an agreement announced yesterday. Phoenix only uses about two-thirds of its allotted water and has been diverting its excess back to the Central Arizona Project - which manages Colorado River water - because the city doesn't have the infrastructure to pump it all. Now, Phoenix will begin diverting its excess share of water to Tucson, which has a more extensive pumping system. Tucson can then direct the equivalent amount to Phoenix if supplies run low. In turn, Tucson will spend less money pumping water because water levels will stand higher, officials said. Read more from azcentral.
HISTORIC MIRACLE MILE EVENT PART OF TUCSON MODERNISM WEEK - The Historic Miracle Mile Event will be held this Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m. Free program guides, self-guided driving brochures, and kids’ coloring sheets and crayons will be available at an information booth at the Pima Community College Downtown Campus, in the parking lot off Stone Avenue and Oracle Road. The annual event is part of Tucson Modernism Week, which runs from Oct. 3 - 11. Read the news release.
DOWNLOAD APP TO REPORT GRAFFITI IN TUCSON - Graffiti Protective Coatings and the City of Tucson have a smartphone application for reporting graffiti. MyTucson is a free download on the iOS App Store and Google Play for Android.
City of Tucson apps
Watch a University of Arizona Athletics PSA about the app
NewsNet - Posted October 1, 2014
COMMUNITY FORUMS BEGIN TOMORROW TO DISCUSS HUD FUNDING - The City of Tucson and Pima County are hosting meetings to discuss community needs that can be addressed with annual entitlement funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City of Tucson receives approximately $8 million per year under various federal programs, including Community Development Block Grants. Public input received at these forums will be used to prepare the Fiscal Year 2016 City of Tucson/Pima County Five-Year Consolidated Plan, which will incorporate community needs, available resources, strategies, and priorities for the five-year period beginning on July 1, 2015. The first meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Oct. 2, from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the Community Resource Campus, 320 N. Commerce Park Loop. Read the news release.
TUCSON POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES GRANT FOR VEHICLE OCCUPANT SAFETY - The Tucson Police Department (TPD) is the recipient of a $50,736 Occupant Protection Grant from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). The money will be used to stress the importance of using seatbelts and child restraints. This will be accomplished through hands-on classroom education, public car seat check events, and a comprehensive enforcement effort. Two public events will be held this Saturday to answer questions about car seats and booster seats. Nationally-certified car seat technicians will be in attendance at the events at Kmart (7055 E. Broadway, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) and Home Depot (1155 W. Irvington, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.). Booster seats will be provided for eligible children at the Home Depot event. Read the news release.
TUCSON POLICE NAB SUSPECT IN PICKPOCKET OF ELDERLY MAN - After the pickpocketing of an 83-year-old man was caught on a security camera outside of a Tucson drugstore, Tucson Police sprung into action in search of the suspect, who took $200 from the victim, along with a credit card and his Social Security Card. The incident happened near Grant and Oracle. Police from Operations Division West were able to identify the suspect through their monthly anti-theft meetings with area merchants. Officers say Anthony Russell confessed after questioning, saying it was a "stupid act," and he apologized to the victim.
COMMUNITY-DESIGNED PARK REACHES ANOTHER MILESTONE - The all-ages redesign of La Madera Park, 2700 E La Madera Drive, completed another phase yesterday, as all of the old playground equipment was removed (watch Tucson 12 video). A successful community Design Day last month (see pictures) kicked off the first phase of the redesign of La Madera Park, 2700 E La Madera Drive. The City of Tucson, Lend a Hand Senior Assistance, and Humana Inc. are working with KaBOOM! (a national non-profit organization that has built more than 2,300 playgrounds) to design a one-of-a-kind, multi-generational playground. The customized playground, funded primarily by Humana, will be created with personal drawings and other input from local community members, including children and seniors. The new design is senior-focused with adult elements, including fitness stations and walking paths to promote good posture, balance, and flexibility. There also will be traditional, kid-friendly equipment to create a multi-generational space. A community volunteer build day will be held on Nov. 1. If you'd like to help, call 791-4711 or email lamaderaproject2014@gmail.com.
GET THE LATEST NEWS AND INFORMATION ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER - "Like" the City of Tucson on Facebook to get the latest news, community updates and fun facts about Tucson local government and our community. You can also "Follow" the City of Tucson on Twitter for timely, concise updates throughout the day.
Ward-5 - Posted September 30, 2014
(1630 hours) Work to repair a series of water main breaks on September 26 will continue to restrict traffic on Davis Avenue, north of Ruthrauff Road. The affected area is east of Interstate 10.
Work will continue this week to complete repairs at the intersection of Davis Avenue and Ruthrauff Road. Intermittent lane closures will take place while the contractor completes work. On Tuesday and Wednesday (September 30 and October 1), the westbound right turn lane from Ruthrauff onto Davis will be closed. Motorists should still be able to make a right turn from the center lane.
Ward-5 - Posted September 30, 2014
LULAC sends 4 students to participate in Annual Youth Leadership Seminar Featuring STEM Experts from the White House, NASA, NSF, and Non-Profit Leaders
NewsNet - Posted September 30, 2014
CITY TRANSPORTATION CREWS USING NEW POTHOLE PATCH - The Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT) is using a new method to fix potholes around the city. The material is an aggregate of tiny rocks and a lesser amount of asphalt than the traditional materials, which makes the patch look lighter than the road. It's also faster to apply than the older method, allowing crews to cover more ground. “Rather than having to jackhammer out very large sections of poor pavement, this allows you to keep that existing pavement, seal it up and then put that lighter aggregate on top," said TDOT Director Daryl Cole. "Previously, you’d cut out all those large alligator cracks...put the adhering agent in there and then put the traditional asphalt in." Cole is directing road crews to use the lighter-colored pothole patches on roads that are going to be resurfaced in the next few years. Read more from Arizona Public Media.
STARTUP TUCSON GETS FEDERAL GRANT - Startup Tucson is the recipient of a $1.44 million, five-year grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration's ScaleUp America program. Startup Tucson was one of only seven successful applicants nationwide out of more than 60 proposals, and Tucson is the only community west of the Mississippi River to receive ScaleUp America funding. The money will be used for Startup Tucson's next project, Thryve Next. The program is an opportunity for small, growth-oriented businesses to receive entrepreneurship education from national, regional, and local executives. The businesses must be approximately two years old, in the early growth business cycle, with annual revenue between $150,000 and $500,000.
REID PARK ZOO RETURNS TO REGULAR HOURS TOMORROW - Starting tomorrow, Oct. 1, Reid Park Zoo returns to its regular hours, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Zoo had been opening and closing an hour earlier during the summer. African baby elephant Nandi will be in the main Expedition Tanzania exhibit from at least 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. each day. The Zoo also has several big events in the month of October, including the "ZOOcson" fundraiser and three days of "Howl-o-Ween."
TUCSON MEET YOURSELF NEEDS VOLUNTEERS - Tucson Meet Yourself is celebrating its 41st year in Tucson and it needs volunteers to help with the cultural, food, and entertainment event, Oct. 10 - 12, in Downtown Tucson. Volunteers receive a vintage Tucson Meet Yourself T-shirt, meet diverse and interesting people, learn leadership skills, and educate the community about a variety of topics. Read more from Tucson News Now.
NEED HELP STARTING OR EXPANDING A BUSINESS IN TUCSON? CALL THE SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE LINE - The City of Tucson's Small Business Assistance Line, (520) 837-4100, is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Help is available in both English and Spanish. Staff from the City Manager's Office of Economic Initiatives answer the calls. The Small Business Assistance Line is one of a number of City initiatives, along with 21 new business incentives, streamlined permit processes and more, to make the City of Tucson more business-friendly.
