MAYOR GALLEGO WRITES Phoenix City Council Unanimously Approves Major Funding for Homelessness By Mayor Kate Gallego
On April 21, Phoenix City Council unanimously approved the allocation of nearly $27 million of federal COVID-19 funding to support vulnerable populations in the community. The money will be used to combat 602.262.7111 homelessness, address housing insecurity, and provide micro-loans and www.phoenix.gov grants for local small businesses and nonprofits. This vote represents the largest Community Block Development Grant investment toward combatting homelessness in the City’s history. Of the many cruelties inflicted by COVID-19, perhaps none is greater than the fact it’s made the most vulnerable among us even more so. One of most pertinent and immediate changes from this vote is the city will be moving our most vulnerable and at-risk residents into hotel rooms. While these funds are going to help the city respond to the very real and present danger of COVID-19, Phoenix is looking at these investments in the long term. The wrap-around services begun through these programs will have a positive ripple effect for years to come, not least of which is getting people into homes. This is an opportunity to make real gains in fighting homelessness and emerge a stronger, more resilient, and compassionate community.
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MAYOR City of Phoenix
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Get Your Garden Growing Tips from Farmer Greg at The Urban Farm By Greg Peterson
May is a great time to get your garden going and there are three important things you need to take into consideration: location, soil and seasons. A major miss in any of these three areas will confirm your misdiagnosis of brown thumb. I have found that most people who think they can’t grow simply don’t have the knowledge they need to succeed. My goal at The Urban Farm is to share how easy it is to grow your own! First, look to find the perfect location for your garden. Here in the low desert with our extreme heat, an eastern exposure (which gets sun from sunup till noonish) will be your best place for a garden. Take note that a western exposure is likely to be too extreme since it gets sun from noon till sundown, and a northern exposure will likely not get any sun. Second, growing plants in the dirt that you have in your yard is sure to leave you deeply dissatisfied. Your job as an urban farmer and gardener is to grow healthy soil. That is done by adding lots of compost and planting mix. I say you can’t add enough and, often, I will add two inches of compost on top of my garden and plant away. Third, planting what is right for the season is imperative. Do not trust your big box stores and nurseries to bring in the correct plants for the season. Get a local planting calendar like the one at www. plantingcalendar.org. If you think you have a brown thumb, it might be time to reconsider that. In my experience, if you pay attention to your garden placement, soil and planting seasons, you can build a thriving garden even here in the desert…and, in the process, grow yourself a green thumb. Greg Peterson is a green living and sustainability innovator who is well known regionally. He has his master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Planning from Arizona State University. Greg is the owner of the Urban Farm (www.urbanfarm.org), a real-world environmental showcase home in the heart of Phoenix. The Urban Farm features an entirely edible landscape, including over 75 fruit trees, rainwater and greywater harvesting, three solar applications, and extensive use of reclaimed and recycled building materials. The site is opened periodically throughout the year to the public and offers classes, lectures and tours.
Shemer Introduces Virtual Art Classes & More Valley residents are invited to pull out their pencils and paint brushes, because now, thanks to the Shemer Art Center, they can participate in art classes from the comfort of their own homes. In an effort to continue delivering art education and creative activities for Valley artists and families, the staff and instructors of the Shemer Art Center have been busy converting its in-person art classes to virtual classes, creating a new app and uploading a custom art activity book. “We want our students, as well as artists from all across the Valley, to be able to continue creating art, even if they have to do so from home,” said Shonna James, president and executive director of the Shemer Art Center. “As a result, the Shemer is continuing its adult classes via the internet, with weekly lessons and daily instructor feedback.” Registration for class sessions is now open. Additional ways the Shemer Art Center has transitioned its business during the time it is closed includes creating virtual tours of its current visual art exhibitions and introducing its own app. “The app gives our students, visitors and donors a unique way to interface and connect with the Shemer Art Center instantly, from the palm of their hand.” said James. “Plus the app allows us to send out important notifications and announcements, and it provides access to everything Shemer!” Anyone interested in downloading the new app on an iPhone can do so by searching for Shemer Art Center in the App store, and soon via Google Play for Android phones. Also available from the Shemer Art Center, via its website and app, is its new art activity book. The book features a compilation of images sketched by instructors from the art center for coloring or painting, as well as a drawing lesson. “It offers something for families and artists of all ages to do together at home during these challenging times,” said James. “It’s a great way for us to share art and give back to our community!” The Shemer Art Center was the very first home built in Arcadia. Originally constructed in 1919 it was purchased and donated to the City of Phoenix in 1984 by Martha Shemer. For more information visit www.shemerartcenter.org or call 602.262.4727.
