Blog

December 23, 2022

Life is about more than just business, moving from point A to point B, bed to work, then back again. We get things done, complete tasks, and power through. Most of us don’t create. We don’t take time to build anything or say something meaningful. We’re stuck in a neverending race that we couldn’t possibly finish–always moving forward, taking only a few moments to rest before we’re back at it again. But there are those who live differently. They look…

See More

December 10, 2022

Christmas can be a little strange in Oro Valley. It could be 80 degrees outside, the sun bleaching hills of dead grass and creosote. We have pink sunsets and cactus everywhere–dust instead of snow, but it’s still beautiful, and it’s still a place where families sit under the Christmas tree and open presents. We put out milk and cookies and tell children about Santa. And the desert has its own wonders. Winding through those hills, hidden in holes, and growing…

See More

November 22, 2022

We Arizonans are blinded to the magnificence of our home. Our eyes pass over the fields of dead grass and cacti, across mountain ridges, and tanned peaks. We don’t realize how beautiful the desert is because we’ve become acclimated to it over the years, and we’ve been trained to feel a certain way about it. It’s dangerous, brittle, and far too hot. We often hear about javelinas, coyotes, and deadly rattlesnakes–spiders with venom that could topple an elephant. But there…

See More

November 19, 2022

The Sonoran Desert is a strange place, unlike anywhere else in the world. The plant life, climate, and wildlife are completely unique. You will find copies–cactus, birds, mammals, and reptiles–but the bigger picture is never the same. That’s one of the reasons why Catalina State Park is so popular. People visit the area because they want to be a part of the desert, feel the heat on their skin, smell the creosote, and stretch their legs. There are many ways…

See More

November 7, 2022

Like anywhere else, Oro Valley has plenty of dodgy watering holes and cheap eateries where you’re more likely to find a fight and food poisoning than a decent meal and a drink. That’s not Noble Hops. Their menu might be centered around beer, wine, and liquor, but they care about what they serve, and they’re not a dive. They’re a gastropub with a casual dining experience, where you can sit outside, eat inside, or opt for takeout or delivery. There…

See More

November 7, 2022

Biosphere 2 is a local treasure known nationwide for its ambitious promise. It’s now open to the public, and it’s a great place to spend an afternoon learning about ecology, climate change, and the measures the University of Arizona is taking to help preserve our environment. The biosphere has been called a local resource, a failed project, a place to learn, and a showcase of the limitations of science. Everyone seems to have their own opinion on the enclosure, but…

See More

November 6, 2022

Far too often people overlook the desert. They see dry land, dirt, and scraggly bushes, not the beauty of a forest or a mountain setting. But Southern Arizona is home to its own rich ecology and heritage. Tohono Chul Park is devoted to sharing that wealth–the culture, art, and natural wonder of the Sonoran landscape. National Geographic Traveler called Tohono Chul “One of the Top 22 Secret Gardens in the U.S. and Canada.” But it’s more than just a garden….

See More

November 5, 2022

Next month, the Oro Valley Theater Company will be performing Ira Levin’s 1978 classic, Deathtrap at the Gaslight Music Hall. Deathtrap holds the record for the longest running thriller on Broadway. It was nominated for four Tony Awards, and later adapted into a major motion picture starring Christopher Reeve and Michael Caine.  The plot is centered around Sidney Bruhl, a successful playwright who ran into financial trouble after his recent work flopped at the box office. When his student, Clifford…

See More

November 3, 2022

No artist has left their mark on Sonoran culture quite like Ettore “Ted” Degrazia. His love of the Southwest and his distinctive style have made him the most reproduced artist in history. Oro Valley residents are lucky enough to have a chance to see his original work at the Sun Museum, a 10-acre historic district featuring his architecture, sculpture, and paintings. The first building, the Mission in the Sun, which was constructed in 1951, features a tile altar dedicated to…

See More

November 2, 2022

When most people think of Oro Valley, they think of the desert, sunsets, hiking, long roads, and stretches of empty land. But there’s more to this small town than just prickly pear patches and creosote. There’s golfing, swimming, shopping, and then there’s Gaslight Music Hall, where guests can come, have a night out, or bring the family and take in a show.  Part of the renowned Gaslight Family, a collection of entertainment venues and restaurants in the Tucson Metropolitan Area,…

See More

November 1, 2022

As the weather cools down, Oro Valley residents are spending more time outside enjoying the beautiful desert we call our home. There’s nothing better than exploring the rugged vistas of Catalina State Park or petroglyphs at Honeybee Canyon, but it’s important that we keep in mind the unique native animals that share their home with us. With two javelina attacks in the past month in Tucson, and several incidents last fall in Oro Valley, it is essential to be prepared…

See More

November 1, 2022

Oro Valley’s trail system is vast and wild. It leads through canyons, up mountain peaks, past desert oases, and ancient villages. Most people have no idea what secrets the desert holds. They spend their time in the city, sitting at home. But there’s so much to see. Let’s get out and explore the wilderness. Romero Pools Located in Catalina State Park, the Romero Pools Trail is 5.5-mile out and back hike, generally lasting more than two hours, but it is…

See More