Upcoming 2012 Marana and Gladden Farms Events

Upcoming 2012 Marana and Gladden Farms Events

Movie in the Park at Gladden Farms

December 7, 2012 6:00 movie start

Stonegate Park

Showing:  Elf

Provided:  Free hot chocolate and popcorn.  Bring your chairs and blankets for a great evening under the stars!

Holiday Display Contest at Gladden Farms

The HOA is taking votes for the best decorated homes in Gladden Farms from December 3 to December 20, 2012.  One vote per household.  Cast online at http://www.gfcalifestyle.com/ by going to eforms or by calling the Association office at 682-1357.

Town of Marana Holiday Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting

December  1, 2012 4-8 pm 

Marana Municipal Complex.

Tree lighting at 5:45 with the Mayor 

Provided:  Local performers, Vendors, Hot Air Balloon Glow weather permitting, Cocoa, Cookies, Kids crafts and Mrs. And Mrs. Santa Claus

Koats for Kids, Food for Families to benefit Marana Youth and Families 

Ongoing Drop off locations: Arizona Youth Partnership, Marana Health Center, Marana Community Center, Marana Park & Recreation, Marana Municipal Bldg

Sponsored by Arizona Youth Partnership Teen Outreach Program 

For more information http://www.azyp.org/

Have a Marana VOICE!  Your chance to vote:

Heritage River Park is expanding

The Town of Marana has recently purchased 28 acres

Take a survey to tell them what you would like to see at Marana Heritage River Park http://maranaheritagepark.questionpro.com/

Winter Fitness

Join the Pima Aquatic Club – year round swim team for ages 5 and up

5 pm. To 7 p.m. at Wade McLane Pool by the Marana High School

12000 W. Emigh Road at the Marana High School

Contact Bruce Rock for more information PACBruce@live.com or 520-837-9275.

Lose weight with your Gladden Farms Neighbors!

Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

 Call Debra for more information 579-1710. 

Free support group. Check the group out on Facebook…just search Lite N UP.  

Marana Farmer’s Market

Ongoing:  Tuesdays from  3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

13395 N. Marana Main Street.

2031 N Meteorite Trail, Sun City Oro Valley Active Adult Community Home

2031 N Meteorite: Click to see lots of photos!

Welcome home to this well-loved Santa Cruz model located in beautiful, Sun City Oro Valley.  This is an active adult community with most residents 45+, and no permanent guests under 19.

The home is loaded with distinctive features from the wood flooring, remodeled and updated
kitchen, to backyard laden with citrus. You'll enjoy the open floor plan with airy space in both the combination dining/living room areas, and the great room/eat in kitchen/kitchen area. There is no carpeting in this home!

Upgrades in the past four years include all new kitchen appliances, hardwood and staggered tile flooring,  fans in garage, garage cabinetry, air conditioner, hot water heater, garage door opener. Guests can enjoy their own private, split-bedroom plan with nearby guest bath.  The Murphy bed and combination desk and drawer system stay with the home.

Enjoy your covered back patio, with wide privacy belt on this generous lot of .19 acres.  Professional landscaping includes drip system and Tangerine, Navel Orange, Grapefruit and Fig trees.  I love the Santa Catalina views from the sides and front of the home.

If you'd like to see this home, please contact me at Cara@SWDesertHomes.com or 520-909-2988 (text or call)

Additional furnishings are available through separate invoice.

Affordably priced at $222,900

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. :)