Hey Oro Valley!

Happy Thursday! We hope everyone is having a fantastic week and is surviving this winter weather. Luckily it looks like the warmer temps will return soon and this weekend should be great for getting outside. Join us this weekend for the first Second Saturday of 2024! Please read on to learn more and stay safe and healthy Oro Valley!

SECOND SATURDAY AT STEAM PUMP RANCH
Date: Saturday, January 13
Time: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road
Details: One of Steam Pump Ranch's favorite community events, Second Saturdays, takes place on the second Saturday of each month from October through April. Each event will include tours of the historical area of the property, prehistoric demonstrations, the Oro Valley Farmer's Market, the Makers Market featuring arts and crafts from community creatives, and kids' crafts. To learn more about becoming a vendor, click here. 

BEYOND HIKE
STILL SPOTS AVAILABLE!
Date: Saturday, January 13
Time: Arrive at 8:45 a.m. for 9 a.m. start
Location: Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve, 945 W. Pebble Creek Dr. 
Details: Join us for the Beyond annual tradition as we explore the outdoors with a hike at Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve - South Trail. This loop trail is a paved 3.2 mile path. Strollers are welcome and pets must be leashed.
Registration Link: Click here

50 YEARS OF COMMUNITY
Join us in celebrating the Town's 50th birthday this year! Discover a diverse array of festivities, from grand parades to intimate cultural gatherings, designed to bring the community together in joyous unity. Whether you're a long-time resident or a first-time visitor, there's something for everyone – live performances, historical exhibits, family-friendly activities, and much more. Stay in the loop with our up-to-date calendar, ensuring you never miss a moment of the 50th-anniversary magic. Immerse yourself in the spirit of our town's proud history, relive cherished memories, and create new ones that will be woven into the fabric of our community for years to come. Click here to view the event calendar. 

The Town of Oro Valley will also be hosting a 50th anniversary parade on April 6. Click here to view information on how to participate!

PARENTS NIGHT OUT
Date: Friday, January 19
Time: 6-10 p.m.
Location: Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road
Age(s): 5-12
Fee: $20
Details: Drop off the kids at the ranch and go enjoy your evening. We will treat your kids to a movie, games, crafts, pizza, and snacks. Enjoy a night to yourself while your child has a blast with us.
Registration Link: Click here

SPRING BREAK PROGRAMS NOW OPEN
Our spring break programming is now open! This includes Camp SPF at the Community Center, Nature Camp and a lifeguard certification course. Spots are limited, visit PlayOV.com to register!

SENIOR PROGRAMS THROUGH OV PARKS & RECREATION
Oro Valley Parks & Recreation offers many senior-oriented activities and programs, such as painting and drawing, photography, fitness classes, volunteer opportunities and more! Click here to learn about the activities we offer!

Interested in partnering with us to provide a program for seniors with Oro Valley Parks and Recreation? Click here to learn how to submit a course proposal!

NARANJA PARK EXPANSION PROJECT UPDATE
As the Naranja Park Expansion Project continues to progress, we will be providing updates on a regular basis. For more information on the project, please click here.

Week of January 8 construction update: 
The fabric shade sail columns for the splash pad have been set and will be measured for fabric. Preparations continue for paving the west parking lot next week.  Most exciting – the skate park earthwork is underway and the skate park subcontractor will be onsite in the coming weeks. The pump track construction has started and they are shaping ground asphalt (millings) as the base for the 4-inch asphaltic pavement (blacktop) surfacing.

ORO VALLEY HIKING SERIES
Date(s): First Saturday October - March
Time: 7 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Location: Various
Details: Whether you are looking to dip your toe into hiking for the first time or are a seasoned hiker looking to get some more miles under your belt, the Oro Valley Hiking Series is here for you! Our guided hikes are the perfect way to spend some time with your friends, make new ones and explore new trails in Oro Valley and surrounding areas.
Registration Link: Click here

SHOE DRIVE AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER
We need your gently used athletic shoes and new socks! Through the month of January we will be accepting items to benefit Impact of Southern Arizona. All items collected will go to those in need. Shoes can be donated at the Community Center on the fitness side of the facility. 

EXHIBITS AT THE PUSCH HOUSE MUSEUM AT STEAM PUMP RANCH
Happy New Year from the Oro Valley Historical Society! Come join us at the Pusch House Museum where we will share with you some amazing stories about the early settlers and homesteaders who came to Oro Valley to build their lives. The Museum is located at the historic Steam Pump Ranch at 10901 North Oracle Road and will be open every Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon. Tours are self-guided with docents available to answer any questions, and the tours are FREE with donations gladly accepted. Shop at the Heirloom Farmers’ Market and then take a stroll through history to add to your Saturday morning activities! Check the OVHS website for current information https://www.ovhistory.org  

Group fitness classes
Click here for the January Group Fitness Schedule! Visit PlayOV.com to see our full catalog. This month features several new classes, including new yoga classes!

Elevator Construction to begin January 8
The Town of Oro Valley is thrilled to announce that the new entry way and elevator construction project at the Community and Recreation Center (CRC) began this week. This project creates for a new entrance to the Overlook Restaurant, Golf Pro Shop and other community rooms. The new entry way will be lowered several feet for enhanced accessibility and the elevator will be installed nearby. The project is anticipated to be completed by October 2024. Click here for more details and to stay up-to-date on the project. 

SilverSneakers at the Community Center
Some of you may have heard that we began accepting SilverSneakers at the facility as of January 10. Unfortunately, we ran into a technical issue when it came to checking eligibility through the program provider. The issue is scheduled to be resolved by the end of the week. Thank you for your patience as we work through this minor obstacle. We look forward to providing this program to the community!

The Aquatic Center has new and exciting fitness programs! Please visit PlayOV.com for more information.

Community & Recreation Center open play schedule

• Monday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday: 6 a.m. - 11 a.m.
• Courts 1-6: Intermediate/Advanced | Courts 7-10: Beginner/Intermediate
• Evening Open Play on Courts 1-6:
• Tuesday 5-8 p.m. All Levels
• Wednesday 5-8 p.m. All Levels
• Friday 5-8 p.m. Beginners

Leagues and Classes - Men's league now accepting registration!
The Community & Recreation offers year-round leagues and beginner classes. Click here to learn about our pickleball offerings! The men's league is currently taking registration and will begin in the next couple of weeks. Click here to sign up!

INTRO TO MENTAL FITNESS
Date(s): January 24 and February 7
Time: Various
Location: Oro Valley Aquatic Center, 23 W. Calle Concordia
Details: Mental fitness is your capacity to respond to life’s challenges with a positive rather than a negative mindset. This class will help you identify key factors that get in the way of your well-being. More importantly, you will learn simple but powerful techniques that will lead you to greater brain/mental fitness. This class is perfect for anyone who wants to feel freer and happier with their thoughts and attitudes. Based on the foundation of Positive Intelligence®, Coach Molly will show you the way to develop greater resiliency using mindfulness and sensory-based exercises.
Registration Link(s): January 24 | February 7

THE ARTIST WAY - EXPRESSIVE ART ACTIVITIES
Date(s): January 30 - March 27 on Tuesdays
Time: 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Oro Valley Community Center, 10555 N. La Canada Dr. 
Details: A transformational nine-week class using the famous book by Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way, as a basic text. The expressive arts activities (image making, writing, movement and more) are fun and insightful and are designed to help you gain self-knowledge, increase your confidence, overcome blocks, and tame your inner critic. This class is perfect for people in a life transition--and who isn't these days?. No artist ability or experience is required!
Registration link: Click here

New Art Classes at the Community Center

We have several new art classes this year! 2024 can be the year you explore your artistic side! Registration links listed below:

• Saturday Wine Glass Painting, January 20: Click here
• Drawing and Painting Animals, January 19 - February 23: Click here
• Drawing Fundamentals Part 3, January 24 - February 7: Click here
• Charcoal Painting, January 27 - February 10: Click here

ORO VALLEY'S PATH FORWARD -- PLANNING TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE
Everyone’s voice is needed! Do you live, work, or play in Oro Valley? Help shape Oro Valley’s future by participating in OV’s Path Forward. OV’s Path Forward is the next 10-year action plan that will reflect the community’s values, goals, and priorities. Getting involved is easy! Participate at your favorite community event, local sports game, at a trailhead, or along the loop. Learn more and join the conversation online at OVPathForward.com. Let your voice be heard and help shape the community’s path forward. Stay up-to-date, follow OVPathForward on Facebook or Instagram.

PAINTING AND DRAWING WITH CHRISTINE LYTWYNZUK
Day(s): Thursdays and Saturdays
Time(s):  Thurs. 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Sat. 9 a.m. - noon
Location: Community & Recreation Center, 10555 N. La Canada Drive
Registration Links: Click here
Details: Join us at our fun and supportive Painting and Drawing class. This class is structured like a “small group private lesson.” Christine will work with artists one-on-one, helping them achieve their specific goals in art at their own pace. All skill levels are welcome! If you’ve never touched a brush before or can’t draw with a pencil, no problem! Christine can help you build a strong foundation and give you the confidence you need to make art an enjoyable and rewarding part of your life.

PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES
Day of the week: Thursdays
Time: Various
Location: Various
Details: This class will be taught at various locations and will provide instruction for a variety of photography skills and techniques. The 4-week session will cover a variety of photography: basic, bird, architectural and street and candid photography. These group classes will be taught by an instructor with more than 25 years of experience.
Cost: $180 for 4-week session or $50 per class
January Registration Link: Click here

GOLF UPDATES

• Pusch Ridge Golf Course is now open! Come check out this fun and affordable nine hole course. Click here to learn more.
• Join us at the Overlook Restaurant for a meal! Click here to view the restaurant's hours of operation and current menu. 
• El Conquistador Golf has a membership option for everyone! Click here to see all of the options. 
• Click here to learn about golf short term membership options!
• Follow @elconquistadorgolf on Instagram and @elcongolf on Facebook for the latest El Conquistador Golf news and specials.

TENNIS UPDATES
The restrooms at Pusch Ridge is currently closed as the contractor completes the remodel following inspection. The contractor is finalizing the project and we anticipate it will re-open early next week. We again apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. The Town is committed to ensuring that the restrooms are completed as designed and thus additional work is required. A portable restroom will be on site during the duration of the closure and the golf shop restroom is open during operational hours. 

• January 12: Senior Olympics at El Conquistador Tennis at the CRC: Only some courts will be used at the CRC. No Play at PR. 
• January 15: Adult Instructional Program resumes
• January 20: Junior Satellite Singles Event (2pm)

Click Here for more information.