Snail Mail or Email - What's in Your Business Plan?

Snail Mail or Email - What's in Your Business Plan?

We get a LOT of junk mail.  Our in-boxes are filled with spam and flyers and advertisements on a daily basis. For those of us more techno-savvy- there are filters and auto-generated disbursement into folders, but the general public - well we get it all in one plain online mailbox.

And then there's the good ole US Mail.  Our mail boxes are filled with newspaper flyers, credit card solicitations, and BILLS!  And…lately, LOTS of political STUFF.

So which way do you take your "advertising" as an agent?  Or, as in my case, which way do you distribute your monthly or quarterly-let's-stay-in-touch pamphlet sent out to your SOI? (sphere of influence)

Persuasive arguments currently favor "green", and there are lots of new companies that will help you create and distribute your monthly, bi-monthly, etc. news blurb for a fee.  Are they actually read?

Others submit that in this day of automation, a hand-written card, or personally written newsletter is warmer, more intimate, less likely to end up in the circular file.

So, which way do you go and why? I'd love to hear your comments and opinions.  Is there a best way to reach out and touch someone with your business information and current news?

Tohono Chul - Things to Do in Tucson, AZ

Have you discovered Tohono Chul Park, just off Ina and Oracle?  A real-life oasis - hidden in the middle of stores, shopping, restaurants and retail buildings - it's your desert escape for serenity and rejuvenation.  

Wondering what IS Tohono Chul?  Tohono Chul is a botanical garden where "nature, art, and culture connect". Easy to find near the intersection of Ina and Oracle in Tucson, AZ, Tohono Chul offers desert walks, guided tours, concerts, gift shops, events, dining, and relaxation.

One of my favorite spots within Tohono Chul is the Hummingbird Garden outside of the Tohno Chul Park Tea Room.  Enchanting!!

You may have seen my earlier blog on the Night Blooming Cereus. Events like this are common, in fact they have calendars with classes and talks held on an almost daily basis.

Tohono Chul is also in need of volunteers.  To find more information, visit their website and ask about opportunities to help!

I gave my mother a gift subscription - membership at the park for a year last Mother's Day.  If you haven't had the opportunity, give yourself a gift and visit this getaway escape nestled within the bustling city of Tucson, AZ.

Ever Have One of Those Days...

...when you just need a cat nap???

Looking for Horse Property for Sale in Tucson, AZ???

This 1975 ranch has it all.  Three bedroom, two bath property offers custom touches and home comfort.

Sprawling ranch on 4.77 acres provides basics and so much more for your beloved horses.

Imagine driving down the lane of your new home:

Panoramic views of the Catalina & Tucson Mountains on a huge private lot at end of cul-de-sac with natural desert setting.

Two 12 x 16 Stalls with runs in custom Barn with tack room,

5 fenced turnouts w/shades and commercial misting.

Hay and Feed Barns,

2 Arenas, one with Cuttin' Critter training device.

Security gate completes this private residence and ranch.

Stay tuned for more photos and information on this wonderful horse property for sale in Tucson, AZ.  

Minutes from shopping, convenience and more, this listing simply beckons you home!

$357,900 | MLS: 21210828

10000 N Orange Ranch Road, Tucson, AZ 85742

To Search Horse Properties for Sale in Tucson, AZ and throughout Arizona, visit: www.cara.LongRealty.com

To Mound or Not to Mound

To Mound or Not to Mound

Our "builder" landscapes in and around Gladden Farms are pretty boring. Our yards are rock (ok...crushed stone) and a basic slope away from the house. Then the builders endeavored to put several small bushes in too confining of a space so that when they grew, the yard would be overcome. Top that with some kind of fast growing tree filled with thorns. Then, times that by 1000 or so and you have Gladden Farms, Marana, AZ.

Yes, that's "spec" desert landscaping.

We are luckier than many of our neighbors. We don't have the spreading, creeping, all-consuming ground cover that will even grow up walls and posts. And don't get me started on what that looks like when the irrigation system is faulty...

Anyway, for some time, I've been wanting to put my mark on our generic rock yard, in an inexpensive way of course. So, this week, I ordered more gravel to match the crushed stone we have. I asked them to bring some dirt along too, but I didn't ask for enough. It's cooled down to the high 80's and low 90's now so we are able to venture outside.

Well the dirt didn't beGIN to make a "mound" so I went off to Lowes Home Center with my daughter. We picked up 12 bags of the cheapest top soil and some crushed granite that looked like sand. After spreading that all out, I had a small rise going. So, later that evening I went BACK to Lowes Home Center with my husband and picked up another 12 mixed bags.

Well, my "statement" garden just didn't have the height nor the presence to make itself much seen, but I was done buying dirt by the bag. It bothers the farmer deep inside.


The next day I commenced to planting my cactus, arranging my stones, and covering it all with matching gravel. I think I can add another couple of inches of gravel, leaving a well around the cactus for catching rain water the 6 times of year we get rain.

I've learned a few things along the way.

1. It's more fun to plant flowers in dirt.
2. Raking rocks gives me blisters pretty fast.
3. TWO pairs of gloves are not enough to handle barrel cactus.
4. Neighbors are nosy - I've met several this week that I didn't know BEFORE (and I've lived here three years)
5. Even a small mound is better than no mound at all.


I do like gardening. It's just different in the SW. :)

Tucson, AZ - It's a Dry Heat - Come See For Yourself!!

Tucson, AZ - It's a Dry Heat - Come See For Yourself!!

It's April in Tucson, Arizona and the weather is fine.  No really, it is.  It's cooled down to 91 degrees already at 10 p.m.!  And remember, little or no humidity...it's a dry heat.  

The weather-folk warned us last week that coming weekend time, we would most likely be hitting triple digits.  Official reports have us at 101 or 102 on Sunday, but my car said it was 106 driving down the freeway at 5 p.m.  Amazing.

Honestly, I love Tucson, AZ.  I feel like I'm on permanent vacation.  (Even though I tend to work 6.5 days a week)  Palm trees, swimming pools, every day is a sunny day - how can you be depressed - it's a SUNNY day!!  

With the low humidity and high temps, also comes low chance of mosquitoes.  Honestly, I don't think I've gotten a single mosquito bite in the last eleven years.

And the wind...WOW!  On a windy summer day, I call that blow dryer weather.  Seriously, I used to have hair way down my back and five minutes was all it took to go from swimming pool to mad pile of frizz.

And trust me, summer is a great time to visit Tucson.  The hotels all have deals.  "Staycations" they call them.  Resorts drop their prices to $99 a night.  NICE resorts.

I moved here in June, 2000, so I'm approaching twelve years in the "Old Pueblo".  I love the rocky hills and mountains.  I love to watch people rake their gravel yards.  I adore the sunsets.  I love the town feel in a city that nears the 1,000,000 mark when school's in session and the snowbirds are here.  (Snow birds are folks that come from snowy locale to enjoy our mild winters.  Summer ducks are those that duck out to milder climates when the temperatures rise.)

If you have had one rainy spring (summer, fall, winter) in the Pacific Northwest too many; Or one record setting frigid winter in the Midwestern States more than you can bear; Or, would just like to avoid working up a sweat drying off from your shower along most the Southern and Eastern United States in summer - give us a call. 

We're here with our sun tan lotion, our aloe vera for our hands and feet, and our Ray-bans firmly seated on our nose.  We're here ready to welcome you to our town, and hope it becomes your town too.

Buying an Active Adult Community Home in Marana, AZ: Sunflower

Buying an Active Adult Community Home in Marana, AZ: Sunflower

Nestled under the tip of the Tucson Mountains near Saguaro National Park, you'll find the quiet community of Sunflower. This active adult community includes ten different floor plans within its 967 homes. Driving into Sunflower, you immediately notice the immaculate yards, well-maintained native landscaping and common grounds. Lush grass and desert gardens are framed by the views of nearby Safford Peak.

What is an Active Adult Community? Well, it's a home setting with maintenance-free living, desirable attractions such as a pool, tennis, golf, etc. and is often targeting towards people aged 55 or older. The setting allows easy access to social, recreational, and education pursuits close to your own door. Residents are responsible for their own medical, dietary, laundry and housecleaning responsibilities. HOA rules require that at least 80% of the households include a resident 55 or older, with permanent residents 19 or older.

The Master-planned community of Continental Ranch encompasses Sunflower, and has enjoyed tremendous growth and progress in the past decade. Community parks, Pima County library, shopping complexes, cinema theater -- all within minutes of your home in Sunflower Community. Other Continental Ranch amenities include office buildings, several large chain grocery stores, Urgent Care center, restaurants, and skate park. The Tucson International Airport is 30 minutes from your door. With the recently completed Twin Peaks Interchange, freeway access is 2 minutes away.

Some of the amenities at Sunflower Community include fitness center, lighted tennis courts, a heated pool, spa, clubhouse which includes computer, billiards, and rooms to enjoy games or crafts at your leisure. The Sunflower Community offers so many activities – from biking and book clubs, Card clubs like Euchre, Bridge, Pinochle, and Canasta, Golf, needlework and quilting – to hiking and travel clubs.

You can search for current homes for sale for Sunflower Community by clicking on the underlined text or visit my webpage and the search engine provided for all of Marana, Oro Valley, and Tucson Homes for Sale.

If you are relocating or retiring to the Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, or Vail area and would like a visitor’s packet, I’d be happy to send one!

Sunflower Community in Marana, AZ is just one of the many beautiful and affordable locations to live in the Grand Canyon State. Give us a visit – you’ll be glad you did.