Bits and Pieces

"Founders Cup Trophy" named after Danny Sharp
The  "Founders Cup Trophy, " has been named after Mayoral Candidate Danny Sharp and former council member Mary Snider. This year, the trophy was won by the Ironwood Ridge Teachers golf foursome at the "OV Cup" event. The event was held on February 4 at the Municipal Golf Course.

"Twenty years ago, the idea for launching Project Grad came to fruition when Mary [Snider, former Oro Valley Council Member] and I met in my office at the Oro Valley Police Department. Project Grad is a program that focuses on graduating seniors having a fun and safe event, held at the school all night long, and I'm proud to say that since the program's inception, we have not had a single incident related to graduation nights.

A hearty thank you to Jim Miller (pictured here) for helping make it such a fun and successful event. We are already looking forward to next year's Cup, which will be the last under Jim Miller's leadership, and celebrating all his accomplishments and his incredible dedication to our OV youth. And a huge thank you to everyone else who participated and helped make it such a special day, for all of your hard work and efforts, and for your part in making the OV Cup the largest fundraiser for our community's Project Grad."

(Source)

Big Wash Trailhead temporarily closing for bank protection construction
ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (Feb. 10, 2022) ––The Big Wash Trailhead and parking lot will be temporarily closed for bank protection construction starting Feb. 21 through April 4; however, the trail itself will remain open to the public and can be accessed from other locations.

It was the Town’s intent to keep both the trailhead and trail open, as stated in a Sept. 30, 2021 press release announcing construction of the nearby Tranquilo housing development. However, out of an abundance of caution, the decision was made to temporarily close the trailhead for public safety while concrete bank protection is built.
(Source:Town of Oro Valley Press Release, Feb 10,, 2022)

Off The Vine Wine Festival

"Join the Arizona wine industry at the Historic Steam Pump Ranch" on February 19, from 11am to 6pm "for the Off the Vine Arizona Wine Festival. Enjoy some of Arizona's best wines and interact with the winemakers whose creations will amaze. The centerpiece of the venue is a historic 1800's ranch house, and docent tours will be available. The event will feature exclusive tastings from 15 of Arizona's vineyards and wineries, live local music, great vendors, and even better times. Buy your tickets prior to the event to save $5. Don’t miss your chance to taste and take home Arizona's wines!"

(Source)

Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce Golf Scramble February 18

"Join your Chamber on Friday, Feb. 18 as we scramble at the Pusch Ridge golf course. We'll have a shotgun start at 3 p.m. Cost is $35 / person [$140 Foursome] and includes cart as well as 1 drink ticket and appetizers afterwards. There will be prizes; closest to the pin for men and women, longest drive for men and women, and the low-score foursome. Register here."

(Source)

Bits and Pieces

Meet the "cops" tonight... Bring the kids!

"The Oro Valley Police Department, in partnership with Walmart, will be hosting the annual National Night Out at Walmart Shopping Center located at 2150 E. Tangerine Rd, Oro Valley, Arizona. Costumes are encouraged! Join us for a fun night with lots of activities for children including Motor Demos, prizes for kids, displays from local fire and law enforcement agencies and of course.... CANDY!" The event is from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

New Online Water portal starting this January

"The Town of Oro Valley Water Utility is excited to announce the implementation of a new and improved online customer portal that will make account payments and management easier than ever before! The self-service portal will allow customers to set up convenient payment methods, update contact information and access historical billing statements. The new system also means your bill will have a new look. The Water Utility is planning to launch the new customer portal in January, so keep an eye on your upcoming Water Utility bills and on the Town’s website for complete details, including helpful information on how to set up your new account." (Source: Oro Valley Vista Newsletter, November 2021)

Town has fourteen job openings

The Town has fourteen open position. These include a lifeguard position, fitness instructors, parks and recreation event volunteers and an entry level police officer position. Click here or visit www.orovalleyaz.gov and click on the blue “Apply for Jobs” button." (Source: Oro Valley Vista Newsletter, November 2021) 

Big Wash trail head under construction

Big Wash Trailhead users will start seeing construction equipment and activity as crews begin to clear vegetation adjacent to the trailhead for future bank protection. But rest assured, the trail and parking lot will remain open, with no detours or closures.

The Big Wash Trailhead is located along East Rancho Vistoso Boulevard at North Del Webb Boulevard, and the clearing, immediately to the south and west of the trailhead, is associated with the new Tranquilo at Rancho Vistoso subdivision. The subdivision, which is in the early stages of grading, will eventually have 227 homes.

 
Throughout the project, the trailhead parking lot will remain open, and trail users should continue to access the trailhead using the current entrance on East Rancho Vistoso Boulevard.

 
The Tranquilo development will include future improvements to the trailhead. New bank protection will safeguard the trailhead from future flooding and erosion. Eventually, once bank protection is finished, the Big Wash Trail will be extended south to Tangerine Road.

 
There is no set date as to when construction will be finished. On-site signage will indicate any changes that may impact trail users. The Town of Oro Valley’s intent is to keep the trailhead and trail open for the duration of this project by coordinating with Pima County and the developer. In the meantime, users should be mindful of traffic control, signage and construction equipment. Be safe and have fun, Oro Valley! (Source: Town of Oro Valley, Parks and Recreation Weekly Guide)

Pusch Ridge Golf Course Pre-Opening Event Saturday

The Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf, the Town of Oro Valley, and Indigo Golf are hosting a pre opening event at the Pusch Ridge Course this Saturday. The event is sold out. A majority of the Oro Valley Town Council may attend a Grand Pre-Opening.

$245,000 in two added funding "sources" enrich the town's Town's Community Center Fund 

This is from one of our readers: 

"Any wonder why the CCF balance is improving? It's because the CCF now takes in $125,000 from HOA's and now also forgoes the $120,000 annual pay back for a net gain of $245,000 per year. The Town has now muddied the waters regarding the Community Center Fund (CCF). It was noticed that the CCF did not transfer its yearly obligation of $120,000 to the General Fund (GF). This was a promise made by the Hiremath council in 2015 when they transferred $1.2 million from the General Fund into the Community Center Fund to "kick start" the CCF. The obligation was to pay back the GF $120,000/year for 10 years. 

I asked why the $120,000 payment was not made this year. 

According to the Town Manager, Mary Jacobs, "The Town Council’s action to broaden the use of the Community Center Fund to include the capital financing of Parks and Recreation projects results in the use of Community Center Fund dollars toward projects that have otherwise been planned for expenditure out of the General Fund. The $120,000 was used toward the calculation of the maximum amount the Town could safely bond from the fund."