When we first moved to Vail I was under the impression that anything I saw in Tucson would work here without taking into account that the average elevation in Tucson is 2650’ compared with 3200’ in Vail. Each year Rob and I would purchase and plant something new only to have it perish during the first good freeze (if not earlier).

After wasting lots of time not to mention quite a bit of money, I solicited help from Roger Putney, a horticulturist at Civano Nursery. For a very reasonable fee, he came to my home and gave me recommendations on what plants would survive and look nice in my back yard.

Here are some ideas:

Color Shrubs & Ground Covers-

• Lantana
• Salvia
• Rosemary- upright or trailing
• Emu Bush
• Mexican or Yellow Bird of Paradise
• Penstemon
• Gopher Plant

Windbreak-

• Jojoba
• Arizona Rosewood
• Rhus Ovata (Sugar Sumac) or Virens (Evergreen Sumac)
• Arizona Yellow Bells

Trees

• Mesquite
• Palo Verde
• Desert Willow

These are just a few and I’m sure there are more, but I strongly advise researching before purchasing. I do own some Bougainvillea’s, which grow well in the lower elevations, but to survive in Vail it was necessary to cover them with sheets whenever temperatures threatened to drop below freezing until they were about 3 yrs. old.

I’m a big fan of Civano Nursery as they are a family-owned business started in 1999 which has a variety of gorgeous plants and shrubs, most of which are grown at their 70 acre Sahuarita farm. The Shipley’s have even propagated some new trees for smaller spaces; The Leslie Roy Mesquite, The Sweet Katie Burgundy Desert Willow and The Doris D Willow Acacia.

They delivered and planted everything I ordered. You can do it yourself, but I had botched it enough times that it was better handled by professionals. One thing I didn’t know was that desert soil can support most of these plants or you can add amendments such as conditioner, mulch or compost for added nourishment. Potting soil is not recommended as it is meant for plants in pots and will hinder roots from branching outwards.

I’m looking forward to enjoying all the color from the comfort of my back porch.You too can have an interesting and varied back yard. Do your research and if you want to plant everything yourself, invest in a jackhammer.

Happy Gardening!

Catherine

At first glance, Vail seems bereft of the cultural activities offered in Central Tucson; however this is not the case.  The Vail Theatre of the Arts offers a variety of entertainment, both amateur and professional.

Much of the credit for this diversity comes from the Performing Arts Director, Bonnie Vining, who has brought an array of talent from her days as coffee shop owner and present affiliation with Live Acoustic Venue Association (LAVA) which produced the Music on the Mountain series on Mt. Lemmon for 3 summers in a row and is in its 6^th season of producing Saturday night concerts in the spring and fall at Abounding Grace Sanctuary.  Bonnie had long been involved in volunteer activities for the Vail School District, including serving on Vail High School’s site council, the Vail Community Action Board (VCAB), and the Citizen Schools Steering Committee, and teaching the Junior Achievement course on community at Mesquite Elementary for 3 years. Her community involvement as well as her expertise in scheduling and promoting events made her a strong candidate for the position of Performing Arts Theatre Director for the Vail Theatre of the Arts which she started in September 2009.

The Vail Theatre of the Arts offers four distinct types of usage. Most performances come from the students of the Vail Unified School District. They include plays, graduations, awards ceremonies and other events subject to the approval of the Performing Arts Theatre Director.

The second class of usage is from Non – Profit organizations. An IRS Determination Letter is required for proof of 501(C) (3) status. Users may not charge admission greater than $10 per person and performances must support the organization’s purpose.

The 3^rd area of usage comes from the community. These include activities such as dance studio productions which primarily feature VUSD students, churches, youth organizations and events put on by other school districts. Once again admission is limited to $10 per person and is not available during the high season (May, December).

Finally, the Vail Theatre of the Arts is available for commercial rental for meetings, concerts, plays or other events. If you are looking for a venue which can seat up to 593 persons, this could be just the place for your group or organization.

Having personally attended some of their performances, I encourage you to visit their website and plan an evening at this elegant concert hall. You won’t be disappointed!

The Vail Theatre of the Arts is located at 10701 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way, Tucson, AZ 85747. Contact Bonnie Vining at 520-879-3925: viningb@vail.k12.az.us

Website: http://vtota.vail.k12.az.us/

Rancho Del Lago is a master-planned community containing over 1500 homes constructed by a variety of builders such as Pepper-Viner, Genesee, Lennar, DR Horton, KB, K Hovnanian, Del Webb , AF Sterling and Richmond American. It flanks Pantano Wash with Colossal Cave Rd. as its eastern border and Mary Ann Cleveland to the south.

Conceived as a Vail golf community, it has expanded to include family homes plus an active adult area. Three of the subdivisions are gated and the ones off Mary Ann Cleveland are near Empire and Cienega High Schools which boast some of the highest report cards in Tucson, AZ.

Golf remains the focal point and the course is well-maintained and challenging to play. Designed by Nugent Golf Association, the greens are Tif Eagle (a Bermuda hybrid) and the fairways Bermuda.  You have 20 surface acres accented by 9 lakes in which to play, not to mention being surrounded by the beautiful Rincon and Santa Rita Mountains. General Manager Jeramie Black has been with the golf club 12 years and oversees both the pro shop and restaurant. Head Pro and Director of Golf, Gary Kilhullen, takes care of tournaments, clinics and special events.  Daily rates are seasonal ranging from $33 off season to $79 at peak.  For golf devotees, Annual Platinum and Gold passes are offered at competitive rates. To schedule a tee time, call 520-647-1100.

Built in 2007, the Del Lago Clubhouse / Hacienda Del Lago Restaurant is spacious and features a pro-shop and restaurant with panoramic views of the golf course and mountains. Stop in anytime to sample today’s special or schedule a birthday, wedding or office event. Each month special 4 course dinner/wine tasting parties are held which are popular with the residents and a variety of activities occur throughout the year. No reservations are necessary and attire is casual, but for large groups call 520-647-3109 to have a table waiting when you arrive.

Homes in Rancho Del Lago can be found in a variety of price ranges with various amenities. For current pricing, contact Rob & Catherine Hallberg at 520-407-8667 or go to www.InsideTucsonRealEstate.com to see everything currently listed in the Tucson MLS.

If you enjoy getting to know your neighbors, want to play championship golf at everyday prices  and live a laid back lifestyle, Rancho Del Lago could be just the place to buy a home in Vail, Arizona.

One of the greatest benefits of living away from the city is the ability to get on your bike and enjoy the desert scenery without fear of being mowed down by a car or truck.

For you avid cyclists here are a couple routes that some of the locals have recommended.

Fantasy Island: Houghton/Irvington Rd.: Go west until you reach Harrison Rd. Mountain bike path entrance will be on the south side of Irvington. It should be easy to spot as it attracts a lot of bikers. There are 22-24 miles of various trails to take, but the path makes a loop with Valencia Rd. as its southern-most tip. You can also start at Valencia just west of Houghton on the north side of the road.

Camino Loma Alta/OST/22^nd: Using the  Del Lago Clubhouse on Colossal Cave Rd. as your start, follow Colossal Cave eastward until you reach Camino Loma Alta. Turn left and follow until it intersects Old Spanish Trail. Head west until you reach 22^nd St. It will be about 13.5 miles. Turn around and come back the same way and you’ll have logged in about 27 miles. It’s a pretty ride over rolling terrain.

Colossal Cave /Pistol Hill/Camino Loma Alta: Starting at the clubhouse again follow Colossal Cave until it intersects Pistol Hill. You go over a cattle grate. At that point you have 2 choices. You can go right into the AZ National Park or continue straight on Pistol Hill which will eventually loop around to the NW and dead-end into Old Spanish Trail. Take a left and continue west until you intersect Camino Loma Alta. Head south and reconnect with Colossal Cave which you’ll follow to the clubhouse. The loop is about 12 miles. It you choose the AZ National Park, your ride can be as long as you like.

Saguaro National Park East is always a great choice. You can enter off Old Spanish Trail. There are all kinds of trails to follow and lots of nature and wildlife.

These are just a few suggestions. A site www.MapMyRide.com  , will give you other routes that bikers in your area have discovered and like. Consider joining the Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists. In addition to sponsoring rides, they also participate in trail maintenance and legislation for biker safety.

Happy Biking!

Catherine Hallberg – Long Realty

WWW.InsideTucsonRealEstate.com

Homes@InsideTucsonRe.com

520-407-8667

Vail is an 18 mile unincorporated suburb of Tucson, AZ
located about 25 miles SE of Central Tucson. Originally a
railroad and water stop, 2 train tracks are still in use and trains pass through the
center of Vail on a regular basis.

 At an elevation of 3235 ft, Vail
runs about 3-5 degs. cooler than Central Tucson which is at 2389 ft. Though the daytime summer temperatures can reach the low 100′s, at night they drop to the mid 70′s. Winter days are typically in the 50′s and 60′s with nights falling to the mid 30′s. Snow is rare and it seldom hangs around past noon.

Though less dense in population than Tucson, Vail boasts
some of the best schools in the nation. Educators from all over the US have
come to observe Empire High’s all laptop curriculum. Cienega High offers more
traditional classes, but still gets high marks for educational quality.

Vail’s hiking, biking and horse-back riding trails attract
people seeking outdoor activities and upscale Rancho Del Lago features its own
golf course which is beautiful and well-maintained. Colossal Cave is an underground cavern open to the public where you can take tours, go on trail rides, camp and have picnics. Saguaro National Park also offers 165 miles of hiking trails so you can nature watch and take photos of all kinds of cacti.

For those who work in Tucson, I-10 provides speedy access and  you can be almost anywhere in Central Tucson within 30 minutes

Sound like a good place to live? There’s more… Vail’s median sales price was
$156,950 in December 2011 as compared to North Tucson whose median sales ranked
at $282,500. Lot sizes tend to be larger and the views of the Rincon, Santa
Rita and Catalina Mountain ranges can’t be beat.

If you like a laid-back lifestyle with lots of outdoor activities surrounded by gorgeous mountains , then Vail, Az may just be the perfect place for you!

For more information contact us at Homes@InsideTucsonRE.com or visit www.InsideTucsonRealEstate.com .

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