Blog

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…

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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…

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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….

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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