Hi, friends. We know that things seem to be changing faster than we can all keep up. And even though we can't tell you about fun eventsÌýhappening right now, we still want to help you engage with and love our community.ÌýThat just looks different now than it did one week ago (which, can we just say, is totally crazy).ÌýÌý
For local, breaking news, check out theÌýÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s coronavirus updates. The coverage isÌýsuccinct, helpful and free — there's no cost to read Ìýstories related to the coronavirus. We'll include some ofÌýthose updates here, but for even more information, please go toÌý.Ìý
On this page, we plan to share news updates, how local businesses and organizations are responding and what we can do to support each other through this.Ìýâ¤ï¸
Tuesday, March 17
This list has changed radically from the beginning of the day. It's impossible to keep up with everything and maybe not worth trying. But this list includes some light in the dark:ÌýCurbside book pickup from Antigone, resources for families, support for local musicians, a virtual Fourth Avenue Street Fair and Why I Love Where I Live virtual shopping.
*reads article about how I should not touch my face, then touches face *
•ÌýAllÌýÌýlocations and book drops are closing at the end of business March 17 until further notice. Due dates are extended until May 1. Don't worry about renewing your books and DVDs. Just hang on to them. You can still use your library card to access lots of great digital resources, including ebooks, audiobooks, movies, magazines and more. GoÌýÌýfor more information about the closures and digital resources that are available.
•ÌýAlthough ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥-area schools (and all schools statewide) are closed until at least March 27, many school districts are making sure kids in the community still have access to free breakfast and lunch. GoÌýÌýfor a huge list of where kids can get free meals.Ìý
•Ìý ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mayor Regina Romero mandated thatÌýall ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ bars and restaurants must close their dining roomsÌýat 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 until the end of the month. They are limited to takeout, drive-thru and delivery. Similar measures are being taken in Phoenix and Flagstaff.
•Ìý,Ìý, andÌý,Ìý, are both offering curbside pickup for customers who order online or over the phone. Call the Antigone atÌý520-792-3715Ìýand Mostly Books atÌý520-571-0110Ìýwhen you arrive, and someone will bring your books out to you. If you need some recommendations, check out ourÌý.Ìý
Ìýof #ThisIsÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. None of our stories are behind a paywall because we believe this work should be free. We justÌýÌýlast week because we believe in the power of journalism to help people find answers, connect with their community and change things for the better — and that work is costly. If you believe in what we do,ÌýÌýdirectly helps our team of five local amazing women keep doing this work for you.
• The Fourth Avenue Street Fair —Ìýoriginally planned for March 20-22 and canceled last weekÌý— is going virtual. Check outÌýÌýof about 250 vendors who have their products online. Visit theÌýÌýfor more information.Ìý
•ÌýÌýis temporarily closed. "In an effort to be proactive in the face of the spread of COVID-19 and in keeping with ADHS and CDC guidelines, we are temporarily closing until April 1, 2020," the museum said in a statement.Ìý
•ÌýThe 89-year-old ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ InnÌý(which was founded byÌýIsabella Greenway, a BFF of Eleanor Roosevelt) is closedÌýfor the first time since 1971 — with a tentative reopening date of May 1 — in "a wrenching thing to have to do," says its president Will Conroy.Ìý
• More ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ bars and restaurants have announced that they are closing their doors temporarily. Those restaurants includeÌý,ÌýÌýÌý(its sister restaurant Brooklyn Pizza Company will remain open for takeout),Ìý,Ìý,Ìý,ÌýÌýandÌý.ÌýÌýÌý
•ÌýÌýfacilities will close and programs will be canceled starting Wednesday,Ìýthe city announced Tuesday. The city will issue refunds for any programs that have been canceled. Parks and recreation will also suspend fitness and aquatics memberships and stop automatic billing for the memberships, the city said.
• #ThisIsÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has a running list of local resources to help families impacted by COVID-19 closures. Check that outÌýÌý
• To support the shopping needs of older adults, all Bashas', Food City and AJ's grocery stores will open from 5 to 6 a.m. on Wednesdays for anyone 65 years or older. The special shopping hours start this week on Wednesday, March 18. Shoppers can be accompanied by one caretaker if needed, but caretakers cannot shop for themselves. Shoppers will be required to show a valid I.D. at the door and all purchase limitations will remain in effect. Bashas’ reservation stores will be open from 6 to 7 a.m. for those 65-and-up.
• To support local musicians, Startup ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and Harbor Lighthouse Studios announced a series of livestreamed, digital concertsÌýMarch 23-27 from noon to 1 p.m.ÌýYou can tune in onÌýÌýorÌýÌýby visiting Startup ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s page. There is also aÌýÌýpage to support those musicians. GoÌýÌýfor more information.
•ÌýÌýwill close both visitor centers and all scheduled programming starting Tuesday, March 17, and for at least the next 15 days, in both its east and west units. Ìý
• A number of businesses have temporarily closed,Ìýincluding theÌý,ÌýÌýacross ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, andÌý.
•ÌýÌýat theÌýÌýis moving its grand opening celebrationÌýÌýwith a virtual shopping experience set for March 21. The local gift, home goods and clothing shop has been working on its move into a new, larger location at MSA Annex for months and will be offering a 3D tour of the new space online along with links to purchase items and a "micro gallery" of works by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ artist Lauri Kaye from her "ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Portrait Series" highlighting the people and places that make ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ so special. The virtual experience launches at 10 a.m. on March 21, goÌýÌýto see it.Ìý
•ÌýÌýis closed until further notice.