January 2024 by SahuaritaTimes

VOL.40 • NO.1. JANUARY 2024 • SERVING ALL OF SAHUARITA & SOUTHERN ARIZONA

FINANCIAL FOCUS PG 6 RANCHO SAHUARITA BEGINS CONSTRUCTION ON NEWEST PG 7 NEIGHBORHOOD PARK AMENITY APEXNETWORK PHYSICAL PG 10 THERAPY HELPING PATIENTS HEAL Sahuarita Times 10645 N. Oracle Road, Suite 121-312 Oro Valley, AZ 85737 (520) 325-3763

Grocery

Banking

Restaurants

Services

Features

Local ANNOUNCEMENTS

JA NU A RY 2024

4 TANIA’S MEXICAN FOOD .................................5 HOT MOVIES COMING YOUR WAY .....................

RANCHO SAHUARITA BEGINS CONSTRUCTION ON NEWEST NEIGHBORHOOD PARK AMENITY: PARQUE LA CORAZA.........................................

7 HIKE ARIZONA & NIGHT SKY ............................9 WHAT’S COOKING IN THE KITCHEN? ...........11 HEALTH AND BEAUTY .................................12 CLASSIFIEDS ..............................................13 PUZZLES & GAMES .....................................15

Rancho Sahuarita Events RESIDENT EVENTS:

Sahuarita Times VOL. 40 • NO.1. JANUARY 2024

520.325.3763 10645 N. Oracle Rd. Ste. 121-312 Oro Valley, AZ 85737 email: news@TheSahuaritaTimes.com

PUBLISHER

Georgia R. Lacy EDITOR

Theo Serrano SALES & MARKETING

Theo Serrano DESIGN & LAYOUT

Dimas Aulia

FOOD TRUCK ROUNDUP Tuesday, January 2nd | 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.

STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM GIVEAWAY Monday, January 15th | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Sunday Addition Sunday, January 7th | 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

WOMEN & WINE Wednesday, January 17th | 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Monday, January 8th *Begins 30-minutes prior to Kick-Off

MOVIN’ & GROOVIN’ Thursday, January 18th | 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

BINGO MADNESS Tuesday, January 9th & 23rd | 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. STORYTIME FOR TOTS Thursday, January 11th | 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. COFFEE SOCIAL Friday, January 12th & 26th | 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. ZEN FRIDAY Friday, January 12th & 26th | 8:30 - 10:00 p.m. HEALTHY LIVING SERIES: NUTRITION WORKSHOPS Saturday, January 13th | 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

DODGEBALL NIGHT Friday, January 19th | 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY Friday, January 19th | 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. BUNCO Wednesday, January 24th | 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. TODDLER TECHNIQUES Thursday, January 25th | 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. SAGUARO CLUB: MIXER Saturday, January 27th | 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

T-BALL CLINIC Saturday, January 13th, 20th & 27th | 10:00 11:00 a.m.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kristi Schaub JANUARY 2024

I.S.S.

THE MUMMY MURDERS

MEAN GIRLS

RELEASE DATE JANUARY 19, 2024 DIRECTED BY: GABRIELA COWPERTHWAITE

RELEASE DATE : DIRECTED BY:

JANUARY 12, 2024 SAMANTHA JAYNE & ARTURO PEREZ JR.

RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 1, 2024 DIRECTED BY: COLIN BRESSLER

Who’s involved: Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Chris Messina, Masha Mashkova, John Gallagher Jr., Ariana DeBose, Pilou Asbaek, Costa Ronin In the imminent future, tensions escalate on the International Space Station concurrent with a global conflict erupting on Earth. In the aftermath of these developments, the astronauts receive directives from mission control: seize command of the station using all available means.

Who is Involved: Tina Fey, Jenna Fischer, Angourie Rice, Christopher Briney, Reneé Rapp, Auli’i Cravalho, Tim Meadows, Bebe Wood, Busy Philipps, Avantika, Cady Heron relocates to suburban Illinois following her homeschooling experience in Africa, harboring a desire for popularity. In her pursuit, she confronts The Plastics and develops a complex frenemy dynamic with Regina George. However, she soon discovers the unwavering rule that messing with the Queen Bee comes with its own set of harsh consequences.

Who is Involved: Leila Scott, Jeff Caperton, Colin Bressler, Cole Springer, Isak Turfik, Jason Scarbrough In San Antonio, Texas, a significant number of individuals have mysteriously disappeared, drawing attention to Alexis, a prominent reporter at the local news station. Speculation has arisen that a serial killer may be behind these unsettling occurrences.

JANUARY 2024 HOUSING REPORT

13%

HOMES SOLD 46 PROPERTIES

FROM NOVEMBER 2023

Sahuarita Times

MEDIAN SALE PRICE $330,000

FROM NOVEMBER 2023

MEDIAN LIST PRICE $341,110

4.8

MONTHS OF INVENTORY (SELLER’S MARKET)

Tenant SPOTLIGHT

Tania’s Mexican Food at the Rancho Sahuarita Marketplace

ANIA'S Mexican Food is a family-owned business that has been in Tucson for over 40 years. They proudly offer fresh ingredients and handmade tortillas, which are just some of the secrets they say set them apart.

Owners Octavio and Tania are thrilled to bring their restaurant to Rancho Sahuarita, saying “Our family is very excited to be here in Sahuarita! Our homestyle flavor is unmatched, and we are looking forward to getting to know and serving the community!”

The menu includes many fan favorites such as red Chile, birria, carne asada, and their world-famous breakfast burritos, (which are available all day and can be customized). Popular soups including menudo and posole will be available every day, as well as authentic dishes like Chile rellenos, chimichangas, enchiladas, flautas and tacos. Carne asada fries, birria queso tacos, Horchata, Jamaica, and many other items are also available.

Tania’s Mexican Food is located at 15980 S Rancho Sahuarita Blvd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629. For more details, customers are invited to visit their website at Taniasmexicanfood.com or call (520) 3728516. Hours of operation will be Tuesday-Friday 8:30am to 6:00pm, Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm, Sunday 8:00am-2:00pm. They are closed on Mondays.

JANUARY 2024

Financial FOCUS

How would you handle forced early retirement?

HEN you plan to retire at a certain age, you can follow a strategy that incorporates your investment moves, your health insurance and other factors. But what happens if you’re forced to retire earlier than you anticipated? Unfortunately, this situation is not that uncommon. About 40% of Americans say they have been forced into retirement, according to a recent survey from Edward Jones and Morning Consult, a research firm. If this were to happen to you because of a layoff, company downsizing or a health issue, would you be prepared to maintain your lifestyle today — and in the future? Everyone’s situation is different. If your forced retirement happened only a short time before you actually expected to retire, you might not need to take any steps at all. But if it was a matter of a year or more, you may need to look into the following areas: • Cash flow – Obviously, a sudden, unexpected loss of employment will affect your cash flow. And if yours was the only source of income for your household, the situation could be especially concerning. Still, you may well have options that can help. You might find a parttime job, for one thing — many employers hire seniors for various types of service-oriented work. And if you’ve built an emergency fund containing several months’ worth of living expenses, now might be the time to tap into it. You also might need to start withdrawing funds from your IRA and 401(k), though, ideally, you’d like to delay this move as long as possible, as these withdrawals may be taxable. • Health insurance – Health insurance can be a major concern if you face an unexpectedly

Sahuarita Times

early retirement. Once you’re 65, you’ll be eligible for Medicare, but what if you haven’t reached that age? Through the COBRA legislation, you might be able to remain on your employer-based health insurance for a while — typically 18 months after your job ends. However, COBRA is expensive: If you’re qualified, you might have to pay the entire premium for coverage, up to 102% of the cost of the plan, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. If you’re married, you might be able to get on your spouse’s health insurance, but if this option isn’t available, you could explore a Marketplace plan by visiting the healthcare.gov website. • Social Security – A forced early retirement could affect your decision on when to start taking Social Security. You’re eligible to begin collecting payments at 62, but your checks will be considerably bigger if you wait until your full retirement age, which is likely between 66 and 67, depending on when you were born. If your sudden retirement puts you in a real cash crunch, you might have to start taking payments regardless of your age, but if you have enough in savings, or your spouse’s income is enough to keep you afloat, you may want to wait as long as possible so you can get the larger checks. Of course, if your retirement comes while you’re still several years away from Social Security eligibility, you won’t have to make this now-or-later decision

right away. Being forced to retire before you planned can certainly be challenging. But by looking at the options available to you, in terms of finances and health insurance, you may well find choices that can help you minimize the disruption to your life.

RELEASE

Rancho Sahuarita Begins Construction on Newest Neighborhood Park Amenity: Parque La Coraza

N late November, construction began on the newest neighborhood park amenity in Rancho Sahuarita, Parque La Coraza. Situated south of Sahuarita Rd. along Rancho Sahuarita Blvd., Parque La Coraza is strategically and thoughtfully designed to complement and add to the list the existing amenities available to residents, with the diverse interests of the community's growing families in mind. At completion, Parque La Coraza will feature a variety of exciting features, including a basketball court, a playground and ramada (which are already open), a Sonoran Learning

Trail, green space, restroom facilities, a lighted meet the demands of our growing population dog park (with spaces for both large and small and future residential development." dogs), and a very special First Responders Tribute. He continued: "We are dedicated to providing exceptional amenities and programs that foster "We are excited to have started building Parque a sense of community and promote an active La Coraza for our residents," said Jeremy Sharpe, lifestyle. Parque La Coraza is a continuation of Managing Partner of Rancho Sahuarita. "This our commitment to just that.” new amenity has so much to offer families, and the features planned are the result of the Rancho Sahuarita will open Parque La Coraza feedback received from our residents. Parks for resident use in the Summer of 2024. and green space in our community continue Residents of the community can look forward to be some of their favorite offerings to enjoy, to updates, additional details, and a grand and this addition not only adds another park opening date as the project progresses towards option for our existing residents, but will also completion. JANUARY 2024

JIGSAW EXPLORER

OF THE MONTH

Step into the world of Jigsaw Explorer, your ultimate online destination for a diverse and delightful jigsaw puzzle experience. Crafted with puzzle enthusiasts in mind, this website boasts a vast selection of high-quality, family-friendly puzzles that are refreshed daily. What https:www..com/

sets Jigsaw Explorer apart is its Friday mystery puzzle, adding an exciting twist by revealing only a portion of the subject—a challenge that keeps users eagerly anticipating the full picture. Beyond captivating images, the site's puzzle program, built on HTML5/WebGL technology, offers a range of features including full-screen display, flexible piece selection, and a multiplayer mode for collaborative puzzling. Notably, users can create custom puzzles from personal photos, making the experience even more personalized and shareable. With attention to detail and continuous refinement, Jigsaw Explorer stands out as a go-to platform for puzzle enthusiasts seeking both innovation and enjoyment.

Behavioral Health Services

Caring for our patient’s mind and body for a healthier life.

Call Today! 520-407-5400 www.uchcaz.org

Dylan Carey

Nancy Kowalski

PMHNP-BC

Colleen Green DNP, PMHNP-BC

Ashley Holton

DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C

Melissa Gummo

APRN, MSN, PMHNP-BC

1260 S. Campbell Rd. Bldg #2, Green Valley, AZ

Sahuarita Times

ARIZONA

WASSON PEAK Distance: Elevation gain: Hike Time: Difficulty: Condition of Trail:

6.5 miles round trip 1939 ft 4 hours Moderate Well-maintained

This is a beautiful hike. The path is not smooth, it is mostly small rocks, but well worth the climb. It is peaceful, and gorgeous out there. You will see a couple of old mining tunnels. You cannot explore them, they are barbed off, and are now homes to bats.

Because of the elevation climb, there are plenty of places to pull off to the side and take a breather. Once to the top, you will feel like you are on top of the world. Eat a small snack or lunch and enjoy the view. Don’t forget water and a camera. Trailhead: From Tucson, follow Speedway over Gates Pass to its junction with Kinney Road. Turn right, follow Kinney until you reach the Sonora Desert Museum. Parking and trailhead are 0.1 miles from the museum entrance and across (North) the road.

J AN UARY 2 024

• January 3, 4 - Quadrantids Meteor Shower. The Quadrantids is an above average shower, with up to 40 meteors per hour at its peak. It is thought to be produced by dust grains left behind by an extinct comet known as 2003 EH1, which was discovered in 2003. The shower runs annually from January 1-5. It peaks this year on the night of the 3rd and morning of the 4th. The waning gibbous moon will block out some of the fainter meteors, but if you are patient this could still be a good show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Bootes, but can appear anywhere in the sky. • January 11 - New Moon. The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 11:59 UTC. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies

and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere. • January 12 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 23.5 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise. • January 25 - Full Moon. The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at 17:55 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Wolf Moon because this was the time of year when hungry wolf packs howled outside their camps. This moon has also been known as the Old Moon and the Moon After Yule.

JANUARY 2024

ApexNetwork Physical Therapy Strives to Help Patients Heal and Live.Life! ApexNetwork Physical Therapy is open for business, and currently accepting new patients at their new office in Rancho Sahuarita. Conveniently located at 770 W. Sahuarita Rd., Suite 190 at the northwest corner of Sahuarita and Rancho Sahuarita Blvd, the team at ApexNetwork strives to provide a whole person approach for each patient with individualized care plans. Patient care plans will encompass what each individual person’s body needs, in addition to what their lifestyle demands to get them back to everyday living as safely and quickly as possible.

Sahuarita Times

ApexNetwork offers a full line of physical therapy services, including but not limited to: Post Surgical, Total Joint Replacement Rehab, Sport Injury Rehabilitation, Balance Rehab, Workers Comp, Industrial Rehab, and relief from aches and pains that keep patients from enjoying daily activities. Specifically, the Rancho Sahuarita clinic boasts the stateof-the-art AlterG Anti Gravity Treadmill. Additionally, the practice also offers Free Injury Screens; no physician referral required!

we serve and look forward to connecting with this community and meeting our neighbors and residents of Rancho Sahuarita. We know the residents of Rancho Sahuarita work hard and play hard! Come heal with us in a warm, friendly, and upscale environment and “Live. Life”.”

The new office is located at 770 W. Sahuarita Road, Suite 190 and can be reached by phone at 520-399-7568 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Additionally, appointments can Lisa Cordova from ApexNetwork shared: “We be requested by visiting the website at https:// are committed to serving the communities apexnetworkpt.com/locations/arizona.

What’s Cooking Quinoa in the Kitchen?

uncovered for 20 minutes. Afterward, sprinkle some cheese on top of the casserole. Continue baking for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the chicken is fully cooked. Allow it to rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

VEGGIE SOUP

JANUARY KITCHEN

Chicken

FAJITA CASSEROLE

INGREDIENTS: 2 cups cooked brown rice 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips 1 large bell pepper, sliced 1 small onion, sliced 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, well drained 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 ½ tsp ground cumin ½ tsp dried oregano ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp cayenne pepper ¼ tsp black pepper ⅛ tsp garlic powder ⅛ tsp onion powder 1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Ingredients: 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 4 carrots, peeled and chopped 1 medium onion, chopped 4 stalks celery, thinly sliced 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced Sea salt Ground pepper 1 large zucchini (or 2 small ones), sliced 1 (15.5-oz.) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained 2 (28-oz.) cans diced tomatoes 2 cups quinoa Ground cumin to taste Crushed red pepper flakes to taste 4 cups chicken broth Handful of kale, ribs removed and leaves sliced 1/2 a lemon, squeezed DIRECTIONS: Start by adding olive oil to a large pan and heat over medium-high heat add carrots, onions, celery and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until veggies are soft. Add zucchini, cannellini beans, diced tomato, quinoa and chicken broth season with cumin and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil and boil for 15 minutes, then add kale and stir. Add the lemon and rotisserie chicken (optional) and stir again enjoy! Top with some extra ground black pepper.

DIRECTIONS: Begin by preheating the oven to 400°F and greasing a casserole dish that measures 9×13 or holds 2 quarts. In a bowl thoroughly combine all the ingredients, excluding the cheese. Transfer the mixture to the greased casserole dish. Bake it

JANUARY 2024

New Year’s Resolution

HE New Year is a time when people reflect on the past year and make resolutions for the upcoming year. New Year's resolutions are a great way to set goals and make positive changes in your life. Whether it's improving your physical health, mental wellbeing, or professional goals, setting a New Year's resolution can help you stay motivated and focused. In this essay, we'll explore some common New Year's resolutions and how you can achieve them. One of the most common New Year's resolutions is to improve physical health. This can involve a variety of goals, such as losing weight, exercising more, or eating healthier. To achieve this goal, it's important to set specific and achievable goals. For example, instead of saying you want to lose 50 pounds, set a goal to lose 1-2 pounds per week. This will make the goal more manageable and achievable. Additionally, it's important to create a plan for achieving your goal. This could involve joining a gym, hiring a personal trainer, or simply making small changes to your daily routine.

involve spending more time with loved ones, improving communication skills, or resolving conflicts. To achieve this goal, it's important to identify specific areas for improvement and develop a plan for achieving those goals. This could involve scheduling regular date nights with your significant other, practicing active listening skills, or seeking therapy or counseling if needed.

meditation or yoga, taking breaks throughout the day, or seeking professional help if needed. For some, a New Year's resolution may involve making progress in their career. This could involve seeking a promotion, starting a new business, or learning new skills. Setting professional goals can help individuals stay motivated and focused, and ultimately lead to greater success in their career. To achieve this goal, it's important to identify specific areas of improvement and develop a plan for achieving those goals. This could involve taking classes or workshops, seeking mentorship or guidance from a more experienced colleague, or networking with others in your industry.

Another common New Year's resolution is to improve mental wellbeing. This could involve reducing stress, practicing mindfulness, or seeking therapy or counseling. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health and can lead to a happier and more fulfilling life. To achieve this goal, it's important to identify the root causes of your stress and develop healthy coping Another popular New Year's resolution is to mechanisms. This could involve practicing improve personal relationships. This could

Finally, many people use the New Year as an opportunity to give back to their community and make a positive impact in the world. This could involve volunteering, donating to charity, or simply being more mindful of one's impact on the environment. By making a commitment to give back, individuals can not only improve their own lives but also make a difference in the lives of others. To achieve this goal, it's important to identify causes that are important to you and find ways to get involved. This could involve volunteering at a local charity, donating to a cause you care about, or making small changes to reduce your carbon footprint. In conclusion, setting a New Year's resolution is a great way to start the year off on a positive note. Whether it's improving your physical health, mental wellbeing, professional goals, personal relationships, or giving back to your community, setting specific and achievable goals can help you stay motivated and focused. By developing a plan for achieving your goals and staying committed to your resolutions, you can make positive changes in your life and achieve your goals in the upcoming year.

Avocado FACE MASK

Avocado contains fats, compounds, and vitamins that help to speed skin repair and improve chronic skin conditions like eczema and acne. Also, protect the skin from sun damage and inflammation. If somebody is prone to breakouts, avocado face masks can help stop the appearance of breakouts due to its antimicrobial properties. Avocado face masks are a great source of biotin. Biotin helps prevent dry skin when applied topically. It’s the perfect face mask for your skin. Ingredients: 2 tsp avocado, grated 1 tsp, olive oil ½ tsp besan Directions: Grate/blend the avocado to make a smooth paste. Now, add olive oil and besan to it. Mix the ingredients together, till you get a paste-like face mask. Apply the face mask, and massage it on the skin for three to five minutes. It will allow your skin to absorb. Now, allow it to sit for 10 minutes. Then, wash it away with lukewarm water! Avoid using soap because it might strip your skin off moisturisation and glow.

Sahuarita Times

CLASSIFIEDS PETS

Lovable, friendly cats and kittens available for adoption through Paws Patrol, 750 W Camino Casa Verde, Green Valley. Tues-Sat 10:00-2:00. 520-207-4024. Cats are spayed/neutered and current with shots.

REPAIR / SERVICES HOUSE CLEANING POSITION AVAILABLE VAIL, Sahuarita and Rita ranch area. As Clean As A Whistle • Full and part time positions available • Must have vehicle to drive between jobsite • Must speak English • Must be able to pass background check • Must be able to bend, squat and lift 25-30lbs • Hours of operation M-F. Occasional Saturdays • Call Robin 520.909.0065 Parkinson’s Support Group of Green Valley Lectures

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? Learn how to

“Thrive with INTENT.” In Person and on ZOOM. Dates and Times GVParkinsons.org P.O. BOx 714 Green Valley AZ 85614 supportgroup@GVParkinsons.org

THE BIKE DOC. 50 years experience. Veteran owned. Mobile. Formerly certified U.S. Cycling Federation. FREE Estimates! 520-982-4703 God Bless America. BECK'S HANDY WORKS. 20 years experience. All phases remodeling and new construction. Electrician by trade. Reasonable rates. Reliable and Excellent references. FREE estimates. All work guaranteed, 520-449-9587 PATRIOT LAWN SERVICES offers reasonable weekly or monthly rates for lawn cleaning (and removal) of weeds, & trimming of trees/shrubs. 520-982-1658 bobbysvisa@gmail.com.

For Carolyn

ADVERTISE HERE

If you want to get the word out about your business, give us a call and purchase an ad starting as low as $50 a month. We have great rates and special incentives on all ad sizes and we’ll even help you with the ad design. If you’re interested, give us a call today at (520) 325-3763. JANUARY 2024

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