SOMOS D5 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
February 2025
Hi friends,
February-- the month of Love! From Black History Month, Love of Reading, Arizona's Birthday, and Valentine's Day to the D5 Youth Art Contest, the world-famous Tucson Gem Show, and the Tucson Rodeo, this month always is full of different ways to celebrate our diverse community. This February, we're sending our love to all of the incredible folks, organizations, and groups here making a difference here! There's no better way to enjoy being here in Tucson this month than by taking advantage of our beautiful weather to get out and discover a new local shop, visit your favorite restaurant, enjoy our beautiful national parks,. or explore some of the latest murals popping up around the community. If you need some tips, make sure to check out the new Visit Tucson 2025 guide and our Explore District 5 page for some ideas.
As always, we are here to serve our community so please feel free to reach out to our office at district5@pima.gov anytime and follow us on social media to stay updated on what we are up to.
Thanks,
(Para español, haga click en el botón de arriba a la derecha y seleccione el idioma español.)
BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN PIMA COUNTY
During the February 18th meeting, the Pima County Board of Supervisors proclaimed the month of February as Black History Month in Pima County. Black History Month, which recognizes the contributions, legacy, and complicated stories of Black and African American communities, and celebrates pride, culture, and progress, has been established since 1970 and can provide insight for all of us about the need to work for a better, more inclusive, and more equitable world— because Black history is American history.
THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT 5
YOUTH SPOTLIGHT
Every February, D5 makes it a goal to visit as many schools and classes as possible for Love of Reading Month to help spread the love of learning, exploring, and reading! Thank you to the 30+ schools that have welcomed us to read some of our favorite books and talk about some of the ways that literacy, bilingualism, and enjoying reading can help you for the rest of your life. This year, we've been able to read to over 1,200 students and we're glad to spotlight these young readers for Love of Reading Month! Keep up the good work and here's to many more years of loving to read!
D5 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
VECINOS IN ACTION
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Photo courtesy of Josue R.,Yelp
For decades, La Indita Restaurant has been a favorite for Tucsonans and visitors alike-- and for good reason! First opened by Joseph and Maria Garcia in 1983 in a site on North Fourth Avenue, La Indita is known for Mexican and Tohono and Tarascan native foods and recipes with a signature flair. After moving to their new location, and expanding the kitchen and dining areas, they have continued to serve delicious meals and be a pillar in the community. We are proud to have La Indita as one of our key D5 businesses and are grateful for all of their support over the years! Visit them at 722 N. Stone Avenue or check out their website.
Photo courtesy of Tucson Juneteenth Festival
Bob and Beverely Elliott, who have been longtime community advocates and supporters, particularly in advancing education, access to resources, and youth engagement, are the forces behind the African American Museum of Southern Arizona, which has welcomed over 8,000 visitors and documents African American and Black life, culture, and history in Southern Arizona. The Elliotts were both raised to have a strong work ethic and to have high educational standards. These have helped them in their calling to serve and they have both been involved in countless boards and organizations, including the NBA Retired Players Association, the University of Arizona Alumni Association, the Tucson Urban League, the University of Arizona Black Alumni, the NBWA (National Basketball Wives Association), and the Tucson Chapter of the Links. They will celebrate their 50th Anniversary in August 2025!
POLICY UPDATES
SOMOS D5 STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATES
Every month, D5 will be highlighting an accomplishment that directly meets the goals and priorities of our Somos D5 Strategic Plan.
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The Federal Highway Administration and Arizona Department of Transportation have withdrawn their 2021 approval of an Avra Valley route for the proposed Interstate 11. A 280-mile leg of the proposed freeway was to knife through Avra Valley close to Tucson Mountain Park, Saguaro National Park West, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Ironwood Forest National Monument, and severely impacting Pima County’s landmark Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. Pima County has opposed an Avra Valley interstate route since 2007-- most recently approving an opposing resolution, sponsored by D5, in June 2024. A 2022 lawsuit that the Coalition filed charging that the environmental review of the I-11 route by the Federal Highway Administration and the Arizona Department of Transportation was woefully inadequate. The agencies had approved the route in November 2021, but now withdrew that approval, but will continue planning for a possible I-11 freeway. Joining the Coalition on the lawsuit are three of its member groups – the Center for Biological Diversity, Tucson Audubon Society and Friends of Ironwood Forest. Also in official opposition to the Avra Valley route are Congressman Raúl Grijalva, the City of Tucson, the Town of Sahuarita, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. National Park Service. The Avra Valley route disrupts the habitat of numerous unique and rare Sonoran Desert species, including federally protected species such as the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl and the Pima pineapple cactus and opens the area to intensive urban development. This is a victory for the community and our environment.
Check out our Somos D5 Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about each of our priorities or click the button below to dowload our complete Strategic Plan!
FEBRUARY
86th Annual Tohono O'odham Rodeo Parade
It was an honor to be invited by Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Verlon Jose and Vice Chairwoman Carla Johnson to participate in the 86th Annual Tohono O’odham Nation Rodeo Parade in Sells, Arizona, with this year’s theme being “Celebrating our O’odham Superheroes!” Joining the parade with nearly 2000 community members was an amazing experience that I will cherish.
4th Annual D5 Youth Art Contest Evaluations
This month, the 4th Annual D5 Youth Art Contest received over 400 submissions from students all celebrating what makes our community so special! It's always so wonderful to see how students are able to identify different parts of D5 to illustrate and our judges had a great time evaluating all of the submissions. Thank you to our students and judges from Pima Community College, The University of Arizona, The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona, the Tucson Museum of Art, and the University of Arizona Museum of Art for sharing your time and perspectives with us!
2nd Annual AASSD Black History Makers Breakfast
A beautiful morning celebrating the 2nd Annual Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) African Student Services Department’s Black History Makers Breakfast, by TUSD African American Student Services! This event celebrated inductees and members of the AASSD Student Advisory Council! So inspiring to recognize these student role models and their achievements in our community and in their schools. Proud to be able to support young people and the great work that we can expect from them in their futures!
2nd Annual Merchant and Mission-Focused Marketplace
An amazing atmosphere at the 2nd Annual Merchant and Mission-Focused Marketplace at The Dunbar Pavilion and organized by Trehon's TIME and A Better Community (ABC)! Such an exciting way to kick off the celebrations of Black History Month, and it’s always amazing to see how many local, Black-owned businesses and organizations are doing wonderful things and making beautiful creations. Thank you to all of the organizers and volunteers who have made this event so special! Happy Black History Month in Pima County!
Arizona Board of Regents Dinner
Thank you to Arizona Board of Regents Chair Cecilia Mata, Regent Liz Archuleta, and the Board of Regents for bringing together a very impressive group of our Tucson community to discuss Arizona’s public universities. This group, representing State, County, City, and local organizations, valued the opportunity to hear about the work of ABOR and their commitment to continuing to support the designation of Hispanic serving institutions for The University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University. As a longtime public school advocate and a mom of three school-aged children, one of whom is graduating in May, this discussion was particularly relevant.
Cox and Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson Contest Celebration
A very exciting end to the day celebrating Anastacia “Ana” Valencia, one of only 22 finalists across the entire country selected in the Cox Mobile Phone Case design contest with OtterBox! So proud to have the Southern Arizona representative coming from D5 and from Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson and it’s amazing to be able to celebrate creativity, talent, and innovation right here in our own community. ¡Felicidades y buena suerte, Ana!
United Way Women United Business Breakfast
Happy 20th anniversary to the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona Women United Business Breakfast! For 20 years, educators, businesses and organizations, and early childhood education advocates have gathered to celebrate achievements and encourage the community to support the life changing and positive impact that strong educational foundations have for students and families that will last their entire lives. Proud to be able to celebrate this significant anniversary and here’s to many more years!
Career Online High School Graduation
An early start to the graduation season by honoring the Class of 2024 from Career Online High School with the Pima County Public Library— felicidades to the 17 graduates who received their diplomas during the ceremony in front of a room full of family members and supporters! Having gone to many graduation ceremonies over the years, it’s always such an honor and privilege to be able to help students mark this significant occasion and we wish you all the best with your next steps!