Email Newsletter

Communications Committee Image

Greetings from the Board – July 2024

Vistoso Board of Directors Logo
Matt Wood, VCA President
Center Pointe Neighborhood

I hope you are enjoying your summer wherever you are.  This month I am providing a brief update on what is happening in your Rancho Vistoso community.

How about all that rock! 

We are nearly finished with three years’ worth of delayed rock projects.   At the completion of this project 6,028 tons of granite will have been installed in ten common areas of the community.  Upon completion we will be all caught up on gravel replacement in the reserve study.

Water Savings

  1. Major irrigation repairs along Innovation Park Dr. and Desert Fairway have been completed by AAA Landscape. This project included a repair to approximately 2,100 linear feet of irrigation line along Innovation Park Dr and about 2,300 linear feet on the north side of Desert Fairway Dr between Toucan Dr. and W Sand Rake Dr.  This work will save significant amounts of water that had been lost due to system leaks
  2. The refurbishment of the VCA monuments on each side of the Tangerine and Ranch Vistoso Boulevard is underway.  We have started the process of removing the Bermuda grass replacing it with decorative rock and boulders.  We will remove the golden barrel cactus that are blocking the Rancho Vistoso signage and install new lights for the monuments.  This project is anticipated to save the Vistoso Community Association about 657,000 gallons of water annually.  We anticipate this will save the association about $46,000 per year.

Parking Legislation

The Arizona legislature passed House Bill 2298 last year and it has been signed into law by the governor.  As a result, the Vistoso Community Association is compelled to conduct a vote on whether we want to enforce our HOA rules of no overnight on street parking or have this enforcement authority default to the Town of Oro Valley.  Our VCA streets were designed with no overnight parking in mind, and they simply are not wide enough for cars, RV’s, boats, trailers, etc. to be safely parked on the street.  Emergency vehicles will have a difficult time navigating through all that congestion when “seconds count.”  The May 2024 VCA Newsletter Did You Know Topic provides more information on this matter.

While this law will only impact the public streets in our communities (private streets in gated sub-associations are excluded) all the VCA membership will be provided the opportunity to vote.  A ballot item on whether to continue VCA enforcement of overnight parking on public roadways in our community will be include on the ballot for your 2025 Board of Directors prior to the March 2025 Annual Meeting.  I will continue to provide you updates as we get closer to this critical vote.

Snapshot – July 2024

Barbara Daoust
General Manager
First Service Residential

If you missed the June 27, 2024, Board of Directors meeting, here are the highlights of the Manager’s Report. The next Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for July 25, 2024.

Board Vacancy
Currently there is a vacant position on the board in the Other Than Single Family category. The board will be making an appointment from this voting category at the June 27, 2024, meeting.

Rancho Vistoso Blvd. Streetlights
The VCA owned streetlights were shut off along RVB in March. The board is exploring options for the removal and disposal of the poles. Anthony Martin from AZ Project Solutions will be discussing costs for pulling the copper from the system at the June 27th meeting. Hard wire and solar lighting proposals are being sought at the neighborhood monuments for Las Colinas, Sunset Ridge and Vistoso Highlands that were tied into the streetlighting system.

Entryway Monuments
Materials for the RVB & Tangerine Monument Project have been ordered. A pre-construction meeting was held on June 12. The project’s focus is to reduce water consumption. Granite and boulders will be installed in the turf area along with low voltage lighting and plantings. Territorial Sign Company has completed refreshing the monument signs at RVB & Oracle, RVB &
Tangerine, and RVB & Vistoso Highlands.

Capital Projects

Irrigation – The irrigation repairs along Innovation Park Dr. and Desert Fairway have been completed by AAA Landscape. This project included a repair to approximately 2,100 linear feet of irrigation line along Innovation Park Dr and about 2,300 linear feet on the north side of Desert Fairway Dr between Toucan Dr. and W Sand Rake Dr.

Granite Replenish Project – This project is about 80% completed. Hohokam Park has been signed off and punch lists have been developed for Sunset Ridge, Wildlife Ridge Parks and Woodshade Trail. The following locations were included in this project.
➢ Common areas bordering Innovation Park Drive between Rancho Vistoso Blvd & Tangerine
➢ Common areas bordering the perimeters of Bella Vista, St Andrews Ph1 & Ph2
➢ Eastern corner of Innovation and Rancho Vistoso Blvd
➢ Common areas tracts at Horizons & Vistoso Heights
➢ Common area tracts bordering streets (W Moore Rd, Rancho Vistoso Blvd, Arrowsmith, and Woodburne Ave) throughout neighborhood 7
➢ Wildlife Ridge Park
➢ Hohokam Park
➢ Sunset Ridge Park
➢ Woodshade Trail – Sunset Ridge Park to Rancho Vistoso Blvd
➢ Big Wash Park

Concrete Repairs – Bids will be reviewed and considered by the board at the June 27 meeting for common areas throughout the community and two areas within Siena.
Tennis Court Resurface Project – Received signed contract from APEX and waiting for a scheduled date from the contractor. New nets for both courts and windscreens for the east and west side of the court are on order.

Playground Equipment – Wood chips for the playgrounds at Hohokam, Somerset and Sunset Ridge Park will be refreshed. Three playground panels will also be replaced at Hohokam Park.

Drainage Projects
Big View Ct. Channel – Two proposals have been received. WLB will provide additional details to bidders to assist in getting proposals to meet the scope and requirements of the project.
27 Mile – WLB has completed the design changes to the plans at the Town of Oro Valley’s request. They will be presented to the Town for final review and approval.
Bridal Veil – Bogardus Engineering is expected to have the revisions to the Town of Oro Valley for review by the end of June.

Builder Transitions
➢ The Town of Oro Valley still holds the Pulte bond for the west side of Moore Loop Road. Pulte has begun to work on the drainage area along Moore Loop Rd and inside Valley Vista neighborhood.
➢ The agreement between Mattamy and the association for turnover of the Moore Loop Park has been executed.

Did You Know – July 2024

Tim O’Keefe – Valley Vista

Interesting facts about Arizona:

Arizona is home to one of the “seven natural wonders”

If you’re looking for Arizona cool facts, you’ll be happy to find out that it’s the home of one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The Grand Canyon is a natural marvel that is one of a kind on Earth.

Arizona’s official state bird is the Cactus wren

If you’re looking for a list of Arizona state symbols, don’t forget about its state bird. The Cactus wren is native to the area and became a symbol for the state in 1931. Since the bird is endemic to Arizona, no other state can claim it. Cactus wrens are vivacious little birds with a unique song you can hear when they’re nesting in the spring.

There are 22 Native American tribes in the state

Though the Navajo are one of the most well-known Native American tribes in Arizona, they’re far from the only one. Currently, there are 22 officially recognized tribes in the state. These tribes are spread all over the state. The Navajo Nation reservation spans multiple state territories, but so do the Colorado River Indian Tribes and the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe.

The Sonoran Desert is one of the hottest places in the USA

Between the Mojave and the Chihuahuan deserts, you’ll find the Sonoran Desert. This stretch of over 86 thousand square miles of land is often claimed to be the hottest desert in the US. The average temperatures vary between 39 and 107 degrees Fahrenheit during the year. However, due to the lack of shade, it can often feel much warmer.

Members Corner – July 2024

Tim O’Keefe, Valley Vista

Tis the Season for Political Signs

They are popping up all over! The state of Arizona, the Town of Oro Valley and the Vistoso Community Association want to ensure that free speech is protected as well as safety and the right of way of citizens.

You can find the VCA requirements for signs placed in your yard in the Architectural and Landscaping Review Guidelines on page 21.

Arizona Law 16-1019 allows candidate campaign signs to be placed in the public right-of-way (ROW), unless it creates a hazard to public safety, obstructs clear vision in the area, or interferes with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Town of Oro Valley permits political signs in Public Rights-Of-Ways if it is 71 days or less before the date of the Primary Election. Political signs must be located within one of the Temporary Sign Zones if it is more than 71 days before the date of the Primary Election.

Under Oro Valley Town Code 10-1-41 – It is unlawful for any person to willfully or maliciously deface, pull down, change the placement of, or in any manner break or destroy any election sign which is placed in an approved location within the Town of Oro Valley.

Please remember to be respectful and to vote!

Two Critters of the Month for July 2024

CharlotteAustralian Labradoodle

Charlotte is a 19-month-old Australian Labradoodle. Leo Borges says “I have had her since she was 8 weeks old is my constant companion. She was born in Charlotte, NC, and I think the name suits her personality very well. She is friendly, intelligent. and always up for an adventure. Charlotte especially loves to jump into the air to catch tossed balls and Frisbees. She also enjoys going to Home Depot where she receives lots of attention and snacks. We hope to see you all hiking on one of the many trails or while on a walk near our home in Rancho Vistoso. ” 

Tony – The Desert Tortoise

Tony, the desert tortoiseBonnie Turner says we’ve had a small desert tortoise visiting our patio for several days now. We nicknamed it Tony.  Tony roams around our yard but keeps coming back to the same spot near our master bedroom each morning. Our house is in Honey Bee Ridge and our property backs up to Honey Bee Canyon.


A Friendly Reminder Regarding Wildlife

We live in the beautiful Sonoran Desert and share our neighborhoods with the wildlife that has been here long before our homes. Coyotes, bobcats, javelinas, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, gila monsters, and birds of prey can pose a danger to humans and their pets. We must be aware of our surroundings and avoid confronting these animals. Maintain your distance and do not behave in a threatening manner. If you encounter a rattlesnake, please call 911 immediately to have it removed. Also, do not feed or supply water to wild animals since they may become more brazen.

OV Path Forward Results – 8600 Comments!

The path to Oro Valley’s future starts here!

“Way to go OV! Over 8,600 comments were provided through the BIG Community Survey, at events and online to help shape OV’s future.

But wait! There is still time to provide your ideas and perspectives online. Everyone’s voice is needed to create a plan that accurately reflects the community’s vision, values and goals for the future.

The online survey discussion will close on July 15. New questions and opportunities to participate coming in August! Join www.OVPathForward.com today!”

Catalyst Creative Collective – Classes

The CATALYST Creative Collective is a dynamic and inclusive space that reflects the essence of the hundreds of artists, creatives, community members, and nonprofit organizations that come together at CATALYST to collaborate and build shared value.

Current CATALYST partners include working digital creators, culinary-based businesses, visual and performing artists, business networking groups, and nonprofit organizations such as the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra, Esperanza Dance Project, Tucson Youth Music, and the educational nonprofit Waters Center for Systems Thinking.   

The CATALYST CREATIVE COLLECTIVE is a non-profit community space fueled by collaboration, cooperation, and connection.

Classes at CATALYST are currently offered through our partner organizations whose hours may vary.  For questions about a particular class or event, e-mail or call the number listed under the event.

Click HERE to see a list of classes.

  • A collaborative programming space occupied by artists, creatives, educators, teams, and cross-sector organizations.
  • A place for connection, gathering, and celebration.
  • A mission uplifting sustainable collaboration and collective impact.

CATALYST is located within the Tucson Mall, and combines over 14,000 square feet of flexible meeting, event, classroom and production space.  SAACA conceived CATALYST after identifying a need for a dedicated community space that could uplift, connect and build stronger collaborations within our creative sector.  

Things To Do Inside in Tucson

10 indoor things to do in Tucson this summer to beat the heat 

The following is an excerpt from a Hello Tucson Article. To see the full article click HERE.

Hello, triple-digit temperatures! We’re not-so-happy to see you.

But we won’t let those high temperatures deter us from doing fun stuff this summer. Here’s a list of 10 things to do indoors to beat the Arizona heat.

1.Museums, museums and museums 

Tucson is filled with lots of unique and fun museums to keep you entertained year-round, especially in the summertime when we need to rush into the A/C. Some museums to check out include the Flandrau Science Center and PlanetariumChildren’s Museum TucsonIgnite Sign Art MuseumThe Mini Time Machine Museum of MiniaturesTucson Museum of Art, and the Arizona State Museum. See our full list of museums here!

2. Try your favorite outdoor activities … inside

Try Rock Solid Climbing + FitnessRocks and RopesThe BLOCElevate Trampoline ParkGet Air Trampoline Park and Defy Tucson.

3. Take the kiddos to an indoor playground 

Visit Wild Katz Children’s Adventure Playground or Playformance for summer fun with the kids.

4. Head to the movies 

Check out The Loft Cinema for their wide selection of films. The Fox Theatre is also screening movies this summer!

5. Go to a live theater or comedy performance 

If you prefer to see performances live on stage, check out one of the performances at The Gaslight Theatre or catch a comedy show at Laffs Comedy CafeUnscrewed Theater or the Tucson Improv Movement.

6. Try your hand at axe throwing, breaking stuff at a rage room or finding your way out of an escape room

Don’t let the summer heat put you in a cranky mood. Instead, take out your pent-up emotions in an axe-throwing session or break stuff in a rage room at The Breaking Point. Axe-throwing can also be found at St. Hubert’s Hatchet House.

7. Find a new favorite book at your local library 

With 27 libraries across Pima County, there are plenty of locations to visit while hiding from the sun with a good book. If you’re feeling stumped about what to read, ask a librarian!

8. Relax at indoor yoga 

Tucson has many outdoor yoga options, but the best way to beat the heat is indoors. Some options include classes at Yoga Oasis4th Avenue Yoga and Om Yoga, which also offers aerial yoga classes.

9. Get your drink on at local breweries or coffee shops or play board games at a restaurant 

Some of our favorite breweries include Barrio Brewing Co.Borderlands Brewing Company and Crooked Tooth Brewing Co. A few coffee shops you can check out are Presta Coffee RoastersExo Roast Co.Stacks Book Club and Café con Leche at American Eat Co.

10. For the animal lover 

If you’re looking for something a little more soft and cuddly this summer, we have you covered. Check out the El Jefe Cat Lounge to cuddle and play with 35 adoptable kitties.