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🌵 Is that Santa on a Motorcycle?
Published 7 days ago • 5 min read
Welcome to issue #17 of Trail Mix, a weekly newsletter about the people, places, history, and happenings in Southeastern Arizona.
It's finally looking like Fall weather is upon us. Soak up the last of the 80s today because cooler temps are coming. I hope you enjoy this packed edition of Trail Mix. See you out there, my friends!
Raising four arrows
Bring Fall scents into your home with a candle from Raising Four Arrows. Order online and use the code from your Trail Mix Passport to save!
🏍️ Spreading Christmas Cheer All Year With the Red Sleigh Toy Run
Imagine this: Over a hundred roaring motorcycles pulling into a neighborhood, led by Santa Claus on a bike hauling a sleigh piled high with toys. That's the Red Sleigh Toy Run (RSTR), a local nonprofit dedicated to bringing the spirit of Christmas year-round to Vail, Tucson, and its surrounding areas.
For over a decade, RSTR has teamed up with local schools, businesses, and community members to support Arizona families in need. While most toy drives collect gifts, RSTR focuses on a personal, door-to-door delivery experience. They partner with schools to identify families, gather specific wish lists, buy and wrap the items, and then deliver them—all while decked out in full Santa and Elf gear. This unique "toy run" provides more than just gifts; it gives an unforgettable experience that can be genuinely life-changing.
RSTR’s mission extends beyond the Christmas season. They strive to ensure families feel at home, providing essentials like beds and furniture when they identify a crucial need. They also collect and refurbish used bicycles and donate stuffed animals year-round to organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House and local hospitals.
As Santa Steve, one of the founders, explains, the idea originated from a desire to ensure that toys reached the hands of children directly. What started with four bikes has grown into a massive annual event, a testament to the community's generosity.
This December 20th, RSTR will host their 19th annual run, delivering Christmas to 12 families in Vail, AZ. If you want to help them continue their mission and expand back into serving additional cities, they are always looking for financial donations and toys. Drop your toy donations at American Legion Post #109 (Vail, Az) and #36 (22nd Street), A1 Watch Repair (Broadway/Camino Seco), Talk of the Town Salon (Green Valley), One Group Motorwerks (Dodge Blvd), or the AZ Dept of Corrections Admin Office (Wilmot Rd).
support local schools
Get your morning cup of Joe from Vail Coffee Stop on Friday, November 14, and a portion of the proceeds will go toward helping the Creation Middle School.
Charron Vineyard's Fall Craft Market
Kick off the holiday season with a craft market at Charron Vineyard this Saturday, November 15th, from 12pm to 5pm! Local crafters, Tarot card readings, gift ideas, and live steel drum music.
Free pet adoptions!
Join Pima Animal Care Center for our third annual Fall Festival! Here's what's in store:
🎈 Fun games and activities for the whole family, with awesome gift card prizes from Bookman's, Antigone Books, Baja Cafe, Beyond Bread, Central Pet, and PetSmart!
🎶 Enjoy music and prizes from KIIM-FM 99.5 and K-HIT 107.5
🐾 Most importantly, meet hundreds of adoptable dogs and cats and take home your new best friend for FREE!
All pets adopted from PACC are spayed/neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on vaccines. Adoptions are FREE only during the Fall Festival!
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.
Zoro (#A876925) Neutered male, white and brown Weight: Approximately 46.5 lbs. Age: Approximately 2 years and 4-months old Zoro is a gentle cutie who arrived at PACC as stray. He’s been busy learning all of his basic doggy skills and getting used to the routine- not to mention winning hearts! Here’s what one volunteer said:
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
simple, festive decor
Looking for a simple way to decorate this holiday? Grab a few navel oranges from the grocery store (the thicker the skin, the better), dry them, then hang them to make a beautiful garland.
Preheat your oven to 200 F
Slice your oranges to be 1/4th inch thick
Press out the excess juice
Arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
Bake for 4 hours
Cool and string twine through your dried oranges
Make it your own by adding pinecones from Mount Lemmon or wooden beads!
November 13
It's Babytime! Storytime for Babies | Murphy-Wilmot Library | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Veteran's Job Fair | Kino Event Center | 10 AM - 1 PM
November 14
Vail Coffee Stop Fundraiser Benefiting Creation Middle School | Vail Coffee Stop | 5 AM - 11 AM
Preschool Storytime | Murphy-Wilmot Library | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Tucson Greek Festival | 43 E Congress | 3 PM - 11 PM
KristKindleMart Craft Fair | Christ Community Church | 3 PM - 7 PM
Sahuarita Sunset Market | Sahuarita Lake Park | 5 PM
November 15
Book Sale | Friends of the W. Anne Gibson-Esmond Station Library | 7:30 AM - 12 PM
Rustic Roots Farmers Market | Tractor Supply in Rita Ranch | 8 AM - 12 PM
KristKindleMart Craft Fair | Christ Community Church | 9 AM - 2 PM
Story Time Character: Buzz Lightyear | U of A Campus Store | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM and 2 PM - 3 PM
20-Year Anniversary Bash | Montgomery's Saloon | 11 AM
Add all of your ingredients to a big bowl and mix gently. Store a big batch of your fall trail mix in an airtight container or individual bags for up to 1 week. That's it- no baking or cooking required!
Sunrise: 6:50 AM
Sunset: 5:23 PM
The sun is rising 6 minutes later and setting 5 minutes earlier than last week.
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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!
Discover the people, places, history, and happenings in the Greater Vail Area.
Get on the list for the weekly newsletter that tells you the best of what's happening around Vail, Benson, and Sonoita each week — all delivered straight to your phone. New editions land on Thursdays at 7 am. 🗞️ Subscribe FREE! ⤵️
Welcome to issue #18 of Trail Mix, a weekly newsletter about the people, places, history, and happenings in Southeastern Arizona. Thanksgiving is one week away! And in honor of the holiday, we're switching up our editorial calendar. Next week's Trail Mix newsletter will arrive on Tuesday complete with a local gift guide! If you have a local business, submit your business here (it's FREE)! (And if you know of any local businesses that must be included in this gift guide, forward them this...
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