Welcome to issue #16 of Trail Mix, a weekly newsletter about the people, places, history, and happenings in Southeastern Arizona.

Good morning, sunshine! It's the last month to save with your Trail Mix passport and submit your BINGO card for a chance to win prizes from local businesses! Next month, I'm working on another fun promotion for you. If you're a local business owner (or know one), hit reply and I'll give you the details on how you can be in on the fun. I'll see you out there.

Vail Coffee STop

Vail Coffee Stop's new ownership has taken the baton and run with speed to keep bringing local events that benefit our area. This weekend is no exception with the ongoing Second Saturday event (one of the most loved by our community). Bring your Trail Mix passport and save at all the vendors — including Vail Coffee Stop!

🎉 the 17th Annual VailFest happens this weekend! 🎉

A decade ago, well before I started this Trail Mix newsletter, I served on the board of our local Greater Vail Area Chamber of Commerce. One of our most anticipated events each year was VailFest (previously named Vail Country Fair). This weekend marks its 17th year as our local and ultimate celebration of culture, community, and entertainment, making the event officially a local tradition!

On Saturday, November 8th, from 9 am to 4 pm at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Old Pueblo Hall, local businesses will converge to give back to the community in a way that feels fun, festive, and friendly. This is where the "work hard, play hard" spirit of the Chamber shines for locals in Vail, Corona de Tucson, Rita Ranch, and the surrounding areas.

With free parking, it's easy to immerse yourself in a diverse range of activities. There's something for everyone:

• Shop the massive Vendor Fair
• Feast at the Food Trucks
• Enjoy the performances
• A petting zoo
• Face painting
• Balloon animals
• A parade
• Attractions
• Games

Local businesses join in on the fun with true country fair-style activities!

VailFest helps the Chamber fulfill its mission of "Influencing Vail's Future." You can support our community by bidding in the large silent auction, which directly benefits the scholarship program for the Vail School District. Come make lasting memories with your neighbors!

Veteran's Day is next Tuesday, and what better way to show your gratitude than by donating to the Christmas Veteran's Store? Gather NEW donations of clothing, toys, games, toiletries, Christmas items, and more. Then drop them off at the American Legion at 15921 S. Houghton Rd, Corona de Tucson, where our hospitalized Veterans can select gifts for their loved ones at no cost.

Second saturdays are this weekend

Holiday shopping started, like, yesterday! If you're checking off your list, stop by the Second Saturday event this weekend between the tracks, and support local! With over 60 vendors, you'll have a lot of homemade, handmade, and hot items to choose from that are perfect for gift giving this year. And don't forget to bring dessert mixes to give back to the Vail Food Bank!

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project, a job opening, or just want to shout out one of your neighbors? Trail Mix has you covered.

Hang an Advertisement on the Corkboard >

Bandicoot (#A883565)
Male Blue Russian Blue
Weight: Approximately 6.6 lbs.
Age: Approximately 7-months old
Bandicoot has had a bit of a difficult time. He arrived at PACC after being hit by a car. He needs an amputation, but he needs to do some recovering before he can actually get that surgery (covered by PACC). Bandicoot would love to hang out with you as a foster buddy!

Contact: Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N. Silverbell Rd., 520-724-5900. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 12 pm - 7 pm. Wednesday 1:30 pm - 7 pm. Saturday and Sunday 10 am - 5 pm

hang your flag

Next Tuesday, November 11, is Veteran's Day. Don't forget to hang your flag outside to show thanks for the many veterans in our community.

Want to go a step further? Write a thank-you note to a neighbor or friend who is a veteran, or send care packages to active-duty service members through a service like Operation Gratitude.

November 6

• Zoo Time at Story Time! | Vail Christian Church | 9 AM
• It's Babytime! Storytime for Babies | Murphy-Wilmot Library | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

November 7

• Preschool Storytime | Murphy-Wilmot Library | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
• All Veterans Dinner | Christ Community Church | 6 PM - 8 PM Registration Required
• 90s Country Night | Trail Dust Town | 6 PM - 10 PM

November 8

• Rowdy Roadrunner 5k | Vail Christian Church | 7:30 AM
• Corona de Tucson Fire District Pancake Breakfast | Corona de Tucson | 8 AM - 11 AM
• Second Saturdays | Vail Coffee Stop | 8 AM - 1 PM
• Christmas Wonderland | Vail Depot | 9 AM - 2:30 PM
• VailFest | Pima County Fairgrounds | 9 AM - 4 PM
• Strut Your Mutt Plant Paw-ty | Four Arrowws Garden Center | 9 AM - 12 PM
• PBS Kids Day | Children's Museum Tucson | 9 AM - 1 PM
• Desert Swarm & Second Sky Drop in Nerf Battle Party | Second Sky | 1 PM - 3 PM

November 9

• PlayPalooza - A Family Festival | Trail Dust Town | 10 AM - 2 PM
• Second Sunday Yoga | Charron Vineyards and Winery | 11 AM - 12 PM

November 11

• Tucson Veteran's Day Parade | Downtown Tucson, starting at Broadway and Congress and going around the Tucson Convention Center | 11 AM
• Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium Veterans Day Special | Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium | 10 AM - 5 PM

November 12

• Toddler Storytime | Murphy-Wilmot Library | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Add an upcoming event to the Trail Mix calendar! It's free right here. ⤵️

Submit Your Tip, Event, or Story Idea >>

cranberry orange healthy holiday snack mix

​By Eating Richly​

• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup frozen (thawed) orange juice concentrate
• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp all spice
• 1/8 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• 9 cups assorted cereal squares (like Chex)
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Place the butter, brown sugar, orange juice, cinnamon, all spice and nutmeg into a large microwaveable bowl. Melt it all together in the microwave about 2 minutes (until melted and easily mixed).

Mix the cereal and almonds into the now melted mixture. Use a large spoon to stir the cereal and almonds until they are evenly coated. Microwave the mix on high for five minutes, stirring halfway through.

Add dried cranberries and stir again to mix them in.

Spread on wax paper to cool, then store in an airtight container.

Serve in a large bowl (with a spoon!), or divide into 1/2 cup servings and pour into small bags for gifts.

Sunrise: 6:44 AM

Sunset: 5:28 PM

The sun is rising 7 minutes later and setting 7 minutes earlier than last week.

Air Quality: Fair (29 AQI)

Moon Phase: Beaver Moon (99%)

See you out there!

~ Kimberly
​Publisher, Arizona Trail Mix
Southern Arizona's Unofficial Hype Woman

P.S. I'd love your feedback.

I'm continuously looking for ways to level up Trail Mix and make it the best newsletter for you and your family. If you have any stories you'd like to see added or any events that we MUST include, hit reply or head to arizonatrailmix.com to submit your event for free!

Ready to shout your business name from the Vail, Benson, and Sonoita rooftops? Have a fun event to share and want to attach your flyer to the Mix? Have a home you want to show off in the Home on the Range section? Selling something big like an RV or piece of land? Want to share your Airbnb? This is the spot to do it!

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