a cozy space and loyal customers; that's the dream for any would-be restaurant owners Today I discovered a little spot that serves up comfort food that will keep you coming back "It's just a cozy place to come and visit friends," said Joyce Philen who visits every chance she gets during the winter months in Southern Arizona "My husband love it and that's a big plus." The real-time reviews come rolling in the moment you step into Mountain View Bakery and Café in Green Valley I come to work every single day and love what I do." especially if you're Nancy Byrd who basically lives here It's a seven day a week commitment to keep up with the non-stop demand from a very loyal customer base "So they come in and they have lunch and they know our servers by name you know It's kind of like a little small community like a family," Nancy said That family includes the Canadians and other snowbirds who are winging their way home this time of year So it's now up to the locals to keep the bakery busy; and they do Nancy just celebrated 12 years of living the dream that she and her late husband created here You could call her mother the inspiration behind her culinary success in a manner of speaking Rest her soul but she was a horrible cook," Nancy admitted "I think out of necessity I learned how to cook so that I could survive." She's thriving in Green Valley with staples like cakes Along with the more savory chicken salad or meatloaf sandwiches infused with local prickly pear syrup "If you can get a good sandwich and people love it we move on and do something else." Nancy said I asked her to park the pride of Mountain View Café and Bakery on a plate in front of me for testing "This thing has its own zip code," I noted before tasting the perfect example of why this place has been around for so long Any number of dishes here would get the same reaction; just great meals again and again "We get the best food from here," Janie Machina said You can sit in the sunshine and enjoy a bear claw Would Nancy recommend this route in the food industry to anyone else not at all..." she laughed."Unless they're very dedicated and they know what it takes to run a restaurant Report a typo Heavy fire in a duplex sent a plume of thick smoke up over Arlington’s Green Valley neighborhood this morning The blaze broke out shortly before 10:45 a.m. Arriving firefighters reported encountering a structure “fully involved” on the 2400 block of S. Monroe Street One neighbor told ARLnow that the fire rapidly grew in intensity “It went up really quickly,” the neighbor said I thought someone might have been smoking outside my house.” Additional units were dispatched to the scene as firefighters searched for people and pets while battling flames inside the home It’s unclear whether anyone was home when the fire broke out A fire department spokesman said a person and a dog lived in the unit where the fire broke out A large emergency response — including firefighters from Arlington Alexandria and elsewhere — remained on scene as of publication time according to an Arlington County Fire Department social media post “Expect a large fire department response and avoid the area if possible,” ACFD said “Crews are cleaning up and going through rehab Fire Marshals are on scene investigating the cause the Tucson Sentinel publishes our stories without a paywall We believe a healthy community depends on everyone having access to quality independent journalism we're committed to providing real reporting to everyone in Southern Arizona But a single story can cost us thousands of dollars to report – some take months and months of dogged digging others require paying for tall stacks of records that officials don't want to provide Some mean driving to remote corners of Pima County and some see our reporters sitting through endless government meetings to make sure they get the whole story and not just a quick headline Our award-winning newsroom has some of the best reporters and we're dedicated to getting the story right Our pioneering effort to rebuild local news will only work if enough people join our Watchdog Club community of paying members Please join today for as little as $15/month For those who can't afford to contribute right now, please sign up for one of our free Watchdog Update newsletters and help the spread word about the Sentinel to your friends Your contributions help the Sentinel sustain & grow our nonprofit newsroom & bolster our commitment to delivering the important independent news our community needs to thrive A smarter Tucson is a better Tucson — and the Sentinel shines a light on this town because we love it The Tucson Sentinel is published by Tucson Investigative Reporting Center Inc. Tucson Sentinel's independent nonprofit newsroom is an award-winning journalism pioneer that learns from & informs Southern Arizonans about the community challenges & unique culture of our Borderlands. © 2009-2025 TucsonSentinel.com Tucson Sentinel's independent nonprofit newsroom learns from & informs Southern Arizonans about the community challenges & unique culture of our Borderlands. Watch today's top stories and most popular videos which provide you with features like past/future radar and customizable layers Trust us to help you plan the best day possible with the most accurate weather forecast available We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good We may use or share your data with our data vendors The Weather Channel is the world's most accurate forecaster according to ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview USPS Services temporarily suspended for parking lot replacement USPS services at the Green Valley Post Office will be temporarily closed due to the parking lot replacement Repairs are expected to take approximately three days to complete Mail delivery will not be impacted throughout this process and retail services will be available at the Sahuarita Post Office Customers are reminded they must bring proper photo identification for mail and package pickups For more information about postal products and services, contact 1-800-ASK-USPS or visit www.usps.com We apologize for this inconvenience to our customers and plan to have the Green Valley Post Office reopened and fully operational as soon as possible The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America restore long-term financial sustainability dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories and maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage products and services to fund its operations Copyright© 2025 United States Postal Service A 150-acre development called Link 56 will bring a new Target store, housing, restaurants and other retailers to the neighborhood near Denver International Airport.  The development is slated for 150 acres at the northwest corner of 56th Avenue and Tower Road, backed by the companies Kensington Development Partners and IM Properties. The project is slated to have 250,000 square feet of commercial space, including the Target store, just over 150,000 square feet.  There will be 2,000 apartments and townhomes built on the site. In the mix will be 214 two- and three-story garden-style apartments across 13 buildings and another 170 two-story townhomes across 11 acres.  The project also includes various restaurants, coffee shops and other retailers. The development will also include 27 acres of open space and parks – some of which will have direct access to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Preserve. The new development will be close to the Peña Station rail stop, where the A Line connects the community to both DIA and downtown.  Industry is booming around the site, with Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Microsoft, Zyn, Whole Foods and Amazon operating in the area. Roughly 43,000 employees work in the area.  United Airlines is building a 113-acre corporate campus next to Link 56 that will bring another 5,000 employees to Green Valley Ranch.  You power Denverite!If you love what we do, donate today to support our essential and delightful local news. (KGUN) — Though Cinco de Mayo falls on Monday this year the festivities are already kicking off in Green Valley where residents are getting a head start on the celebration with music The Community Performance and Art Center (CPAC) is set to host a special Cinco de Mayo-themed concert on Friday featuring the talented Mariachi Pueblo Viejo brings together working professionals and college students who share a passion for traditional mariachi music The group’s mission is to preserve the cultural heritage and authentic sounds of Jalisco Mexico—widely regarded as the birthplace of mariachi “Our goal was to create the premier professional mariachi ensemble of the Southwest,” Ponce said The group has quickly gained recognition for their vibrant performances and cultural authenticity including a recent appearance at the memorial service for Congressman Raul Grijalva Friday’s performance at CPAC promises an evening of rich musical tradition and celebration in honor of the historical and cultural roots of Cinco de Mayo More information about Mariachi Pueblo Viejo can be found on the group’s website. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite With beautiful weather and tables loaded with local goods, the new Green Valley farmers market’s second week in business attracted a host of vendors and shoppers The market’s opening day earlier this month had been marred by a combination of cold and rainy weather plentiful sunshine and temperatures in the 70s — combined with plentiful fresh produce and ready-to-eat offerings — made for an almost picture-perfect evening from 4-7 p.m “Now we’ve got wind,” said Portia Clark, a longtime civic leader who runs the nonprofit organization CARE Inc., which last year won County Board permission to operate the market at John M. Robinson, Jr. Town Square The wind rushing in from the south tested the aerodynamic capabilities of some tents set up to cover vendors but most seemed to survive unscathed once erected A large number of vendors and civic groups set up spaces around the town square Offerings ranged from vegetables to sugar-free sweets Goldman Farm a sixth-generation Black-owned farm set on 250 acres in Charlotte County downstate got some help from Green Valley residents and customers as its staff set up tables that were laden with everything from tomatoes to mustard greens A variety of springtime potted flowers also were part of its offerings Local youth hosted a spirited game of tag — the rules being made up on the fly — throughout the town square Last fall, county leaders approved holding the farmers market weekly on Fridays from early April to Thanksgiving and their arrangement does not impede traffic flow through the Green Valley community Drew Elementary School as well as Lomax AME Zion and Macedonia Baptist churches Clark last fall told ARLnow the initial plan had been to open the market in the spring of 2024 but delays caused that to be pushed back to April 2025 She said organizers were “looking forward to the opening and the opportunity to create this opportunity in our community,” and hoped to build the endeavor to provide “something for all.” The Green Valley operation is one of 10 farmers markets authorized by the county government Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInTUCSON (13 News) - A man missing out of Green Valley has been found safe The Pima County Sheriff’s Department says 75-year-old James Ford was found safe and is being returned home The PCSD said he disappeared in the 200 block of North Calle Del Diablo in Green Valley Friday around 1 p.m Correction: The video above references the project run by Tucson Electric Power (TEP) The project is run by Unisource Energy Projects A proposed energy infrastructure project by Unisource Energy Projects a sister company of Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is drawing concern from residents of a Green Valley neighborhood who fear it could disrupt cherished community spaces and diminish property values The project, dubbed the Santa Cruz Reliability Project North, is aimed at bolstering energy reliability for Santa Cruz County by creating a second transmission connection from the Kantor substation to Pima County’s grid may place new power lines and service roads on the 26-acre property owned by The Springs at Santa Rita Homeowners Association Unisource installed similar infrastructure on the property 16 years ago While residents support the mission to improve regional energy reliability many are opposed to the possible placement of additional infrastructure on their community land “Everyone here really supports the idea—no one should be without electricity especially first responders,” said Bruce Grieshaber “But the problem is with the how and there are a number of unintended consequences that can occur that could be pretty severe.” Grieshaber says that the HOA’s dog park and nature trail would be upended due to service roads needing to be built for TEP and Unisource to complete the project He also mentions the project’s impact on property values with mountain views being obstructed by power lines and poles The dog park and walking trail are more than neighborhood amenities They are vital parts of the community’s lifestyle and even connect to the historic Anza Trail offering public access and recreational space for both residents and visitors “I walk my dog here twice a day,” said resident Betty Briggs Briggs says the previous TEP substation construction was enough for the community to bear “I don’t feel like we should be encroached on,” she said remembers the installation of the existing infrastructure and worries about a repeat of that experience Stone suggests that the utility consider building a new substation elsewhere to avoid encroaching further on the HOA’s land residents also voiced concerns about wildfire risk associated with high-voltage power lines and how the project could affect property values in the long term The HOA is a Firewise community meaning that residents take proactive precautions to prevent wildfire spread such as clearing brush that could serve as fuel loads for wildfires WATCH BELOW | Green Valley community ramps up wildfire prevention efforts ahead of fire season Grieshaber says the project will “dramatically reduce” a “pretty decent” buffer zone between the property and the TEP substation This could both pose a fire risk and further spoil the natural character of the land TEP/Unisource spokesperson Joseph Barrios emphasized that the project is still in the planning phase and no final decisions have been made “This is exactly the kind of feedback we want and need to hear from residents,” Barrios said we’d be more than happy to meet and talk with them again TEP and Unisource have been holding community meetings throughout Green Valley over the past months visiting the Springs at Santa Rita in March to hear residents’ feedback Barrios says another meeting is planned for sometime in May The utility is currently considering three additional location options beyond the Springs at Santa Rita site Barrios says the companies also have about 170 different segments that can be put together in different ways to make the connection between Santa Cruz and Pima Counties we’ll try to eliminate the less favorable segments,” Barrios said “We hope to identify some preferred routes by the end of summer.” Unisource offers an interactive map to show the various routes under consideration By fall 2025 TEP and Unisource hope to gain approval for a certificate of environmental compability reviewed by the Arizona Power Plant and Line Sighting Committee the project will need approval by the Arizona Corporation Commission construction is slated to begin sometime in 2027 with the lines looking to be ready by 2028 Barrios says TEP and Unisource want to hear more from the community about potential challenges that may lie ahead “We understand there are folks who either live in the area or work in the area and they may have insight that’s not immediately available to us,” he said like having these public meetings and reaching out to the public If there is information they think we need to consider Members of a Green Valley church are pitching their battle against a development next door as a David vs The project would redevelop two existing hotels — Hotel Pentagon and Comfort Inn Pentagon City — and a surface parking lot at 2480 S Glebe Road in Green Valley into a mixed townhouse and multifamily development The project would add 531 residential units with 494 units in a multifamily building and 37 in townhouses but only one entrance and exit onto 24th Road South — as compared to the two current entrances and exits from the property The development originally offered a required $2 million affordable housing fund contribution and seven affordable on-site units as required in exchange for increased density than that otherwise allowed by zoning but the developer has agreed to bump up the latter to nine units The proposal has support from the Arlington Chamber of Commerce but most comments at a Planning Commission meeting on Monday were from neighbors who said the project rubbed them the wrong way Those neighbors included representatives from the nearby Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Green Valley who argued that the new development is gentrifying the traditionally Black neighborhood and offering little in return “Listening to the presentation was highly disturbing,” said Judith Davis a Green Valley resident and community organizer “It’s more displacement and more gentrification and standing up high-rise buildings or townhomes that are not affordable and add no value to the community or infrastructure.” On behalf of the slow-growth group Arlingtonians for a Sustainable Future She said that the new development would create primarily market-rate units in an area where a large number of residents make a fraction of the area median income At the meeting, developer CC Rock Arlington Owner, LLC — tied to the North Carolina developer Crescent Communities — presented a variety of benefits to the community from new open space to a new bus shelter built at the site The project would include screening between the development and Lomax so residents don’t trespass onto church property but neighbors said that only highlighted how close the new development would be to the church “It feels like the story of David and Goliath,” said the Rev “We don’t want to fight with the developer and [it’s] very clear that the history of Lomax and the history of Green Valley is once again being encroached upon.” Nelson compared the current development to the historic segregation families in Green Valley faced “We could spend time talking about some of the laws that were in place that restricted African Americans in this space,” Nelson said but the bottom line is we’re doing it again.” observed that many of the “community benefits” listed would primarily benefit the development Planning Commissioner Karen Guevara advanced a pair of failed motions later in the meeting One was to recommend the project be deferred and the other was a recommendation that the county create a community land trust to buy properties like this site in historically disadvantaged communities and develop them for a community-serving purpose Arlington needs to do better at ensuring the public improvements the developers are presenting are actually benefitting and serving the nearby community “We need to take a comprehensive view of who is really benefitting,” Guevara said “and who is being left out of these spaces.” Guevara and Striner both put forward and supported motions either recommending deferral of the project or trying to seek more neighborhood-benefitting amenities from the development said they were sympathetic to neighbors’ concerns but they don’t believe those should derail a project that replaces aging hotels with new housing “I can empathize with the church,” said Vice-Chair Nia Bagley “It is distressing for me as a planning commissioner to have so many projects come in that are market rate which right away excludes a lot of folks who have been excluded in the past Bagley also urged Green Valley residents to be welcoming to residents in the new developments “Even if there’s been exclusion part of the fight is including the folks that come so they understand the history,” Bagley said Guevara reiterated the gentrification argument that a market rate development with relatively little affordable housing  could lead to displacement of residents by driving up housing prices in the nearby area “It always seems incumbent on the residents being displaced to be the teachers even though their spaces are the ones being encroached upon,” said Guevara “I’d say it’s upon the applicant and the county to make those inroads rather than the community.” Planning Commissioner Eric Berkey encouraged community members frustrated by the limits of Arlington’s affordable housing policy to get involved in ongoing countywide discussions about adjusting requirements from developers — and seeking permission to codify that from Richmond “If you’re frustrated about only getting seven units and $2 million We’re not at a place where we can require more but if you’re interested in being part of that movement that’s excellent … but this is as much as the county can require.” The discussion tapped into a core identity question in Arlington: is the county’s progress on its progressive goals like securing more affordable housing too incremental “I’m agreeing with the big picture concepts,” said Striner “but you can’t exclusively look at it through the lens of ‘build build build’ and that will fix everything You have to look at how this will affect the whole ecosystem.” The project is scheduled to go to the County Board on Saturday “We’ll continue to fight,” said Nelson “We’ll take our stone and slingshot and see what happens.” — A longtime local supermarket in Anne Arundel County will soon be transformed into Green Valley Marketplace Green Valley Marketplace - which has three other Anne Arundel locations - is taking over Angel's Food Market Angel's is shutting down today so it can reopen as Green Valley Marketplace The rebranding will add enhancements like "signature chef-inspired meals and sides and private brands that bring value across all departments." Lauer's Lucious bakery and a Seafood & Crab House is also coming soon to the store An official ribbon-cutting and celebration is planned for this spring Angel's Food Market has been a Pasadena staple since it was "a roadside farm stand in the 1920s," said Green Valley in a press release The Clocker family has owned it for more than 60 years Owner Walt Clocker said in a statement that this transformation is "an exciting step forward that allows us to preserve the heart of what Angel's has always stood for while offering even more to our loyal customers We are confident that Green Valley shares our values and we look forward to seeing this store continue to thrive under their leadership." Green Valley Marketplace has been in business for 110 years Clotilde in Green Valley hasn’t been used for worship for a few years But church members still hope the building and property can be put to a new use Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall posted on social media that a sale had been finalized for the St Clotilde church building and property in Green Valley “We put it up for sale this past January,” Verhelst said Jordan Handeland confirmed Thursday that his company SW MN Properties purchased the St Handeland said he did not yet have comment on what would be done with the property Clotilde’s location near the corner of Minnesota Highway 23 and Lyon County Road 8 date back to 1917 the current church building was constructed in 1959.Verhelst said there was a building addition with a lift that was constructed in 2011 Clotilde has been partnered with different area Catholic churches over its history Mary’s Catholic Church in Cottonwood Mary’s were also joined into a bigger area faith community He said parishioners and parish leadership met to discern what to do with the church property and they decided to try and sell the building “There is the sadness that comes with the finality of a church building no longer being a church building,” Verhelst said church members hoped it could serve a new purpose in Green Valley In a post on Holy Redeemer’s Facebook page after expenses including realtor and closing costs Clotilde Cemetery Committee also decided to bring the church bell and the church cornerstone to be placed at the cemetery Items of a religious nature were removed from the building “Many of the items have found new homes,” Verhelst said Thursday Monica and Mike Seifert became the first quadruplets .. MARSHALL — Marshall resident Aditya Harsono will remain in U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody .. Copyright © 2025 Ogden Newspapers of Minnesota | https://www.marshallindependent.com | 508 W A divided County Board on Wednesday (April 9) approved development of a 531-unit residential project despite ongoing concerns from residents in the Green Valley neighborhood The 4-0 vote paves the way for construction a mix of residential uses at the 5.52 acre site The project will replace two hotels at 2480 S Glebe Road with 37 townhouses in four buildings and 494 rental units in a single nine-story multifamily building The project also calls for 549 parking spaces most in an eight-story garage in the central part of the development Board members who supported the project acknowledged the process getting to a vote was not a smooth one “It’s not perfect,” Board member Matt de Ferranti said of both the project itself and the public-engagement process that accompanied it the end result would prove a “net step forward” in adding housing to the county The vote came four days after Board members initially deferred consideration of the project in an effort to iron out points of disagreement between the developer, an affiliate of Crescent Communities Some of those concerns had been addressed by Wednesday evening some local residents asked for a second deferral Rev. Dr. Adrian Nelson II of Lomax African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church did not expect an additional reprieve to be granted “The handwriting is on the wall — we know how it’s going to end,” he said during testimony that preceded the vote Nelson decried the “systemic injustices” of the entire process That view resonated with Board Chair Takis Karantonis who said both the developer and county government “missed important points of engagement” with the Green Valley community “It really stuns me,” said Karantonis who opted to abstain rather than vote for or against the proposal Several of those who voted in favor had similar concerns about the process “There’s a wrong way to do the right thing,” said Board member JD Spain who opted to support the project because he felt it would bring needed housing to the vicinity Spain said he preferred to have more discussion but given the views of a majority of his colleagues It’s not going to happen,” he said public comment on Wednesday night centered on traffic impacts community benefits and the overall massing of the project “This will create a traffic nightmare,” said Frederick Craddock a longtime resident of nearby 24th Road South Craddock sought a delay for more discussion “We need to get back to the table and see how we can integrate this project into Green Valley,” Craddock said Representatives of the developer said they had worked diligently to address concerns of residents and the church but are facing a “hard deadline” to get the project moving or put funding at risk Karantonis offered only a muted criticism of what amounted to the county’s back being put up against the wall — its options being to approve the project now or potentially lose it entirely “This is not a desirable position to be in,” Karantonis said The developer has agreed to provide nine committed-affordable apartment units within the project and provide just over $2 million to the government’s Affordable Housing Investment Fund The developer also agreed to meet quarterly with neighborhood residents through at least 2028 in an effort to maintain lines of communications The developer also will serve as a sponsor of the annual Green Valley Day celebration for at least a decade and will work with the Green Valley Civic Association for improvements to the John Robinson Jr There also was a promise from both the developer and county officials to consider options for creating a second access point into the site to take pressure off 24th Road S. currently the only projected entrance and exit That promise of future action was not enough to sway local resident Tia Alfred “We need a transparent plan; a logical and viable plan,” she told Board members predicting traffic in the area would become “nothing short of a horrendous nightmare.” County officials plan to convene a meeting in mid-June to discuss traffic issues The Board’s April 9 action made changes to the General Land Use Plan Master Transportation Plan and a site plan to allow the proposal to move forward on the site located just north of the intersection of S the developer would have been limited to constructing just 133 units on the site Hotels have been located on the parcel since the early 1960s The two hotels now occupying the site combine for about 330 rooms spread over multiple buildings with nearly 300 surface parking spaces They will be razed to make room for the new housing The proposal had the support of the Planning Commission and Arlington Chamber of Commerce but the Arlington County Civic Federation pressed for more discussion before a final vote Proposals to build more housing in Green Valley and a new restaurant and gas station in Claremont are slated for County Board consideration this weekend Carlin Springs Road and a reduction in the number of early voting sites are also on the agenda for the Saturday meeting Next week, Board members are also slated to take action on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget and set tax rates. Because of restoration work at the Ellen M. Bozman Government Center owing to flooding issues the meetings are expected to be held at Central Library Action on Green Valley redevelopment: Board members are expected to take action on a proposal to raze two hotels on S. Glebe Road in the Green Valley neighborhood, replacing them with residential development The project would add 531 residential units split between 494 units in a multifamily building and 37 in townhouses at 2480 S Based on concerns raised by the neighborhood at a Planning Commission meeting last week the public hearing preceding a vote could be contentious Concerns about the project include the amount of affordable housing and a community-benefits package that some see as too little for what the developer will receive in return Board members are being asked to approve a use permit that would allow for a 42-seat restaurant and attached convenience store along with six fuel pumps and 17 surface-parking spaces on the 0.73-acre site The site’s zoning will not need to be changed to permit the redevelopment A public hearing will be held before the vote which is the last item on the Board’s Saturday agenda located on the 4700 block of King Street and 5049 Chesterfield Road Officials held a meeting with Claremont residents on March 21 to discuss the redevelopment plan Royal Farms has operated convenience stores and restaurants since 1959 but has a relatively small presence in this part of Virginia Easements along Carlin Springs: Board members on Saturday are expected to authorize payment for several property easements that will assist efforts in improving pedestrian safety along S County officials and two homeowners have agreed these terms: The land is sought as part of a sidewalk-widening effort on Carlin Springs between 2nd Street S That stretch of roadway sees an average 27,000 vehicles per day and is home multiple schools In January, Board members authorized payment of just under $30,000 for another easement in the vicinity Early-voting site to be dropped: Board members on Saturday are expected to remove Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center as one of the county’s early-voting sites The site was used during 2024 to augment the three traditional sites: Madison and Walter Reed community centers and the Ellen M With lower turnout in non-presidential years, the Electoral Board asked that the Long Bridge site in Crystal City be eliminated The move will save about $27,000 over the coming year The Long Bridge site can be returned to use in 2028 if needed Budget, tax rates finalized on Tuesday: Board members on Tuesday, April 7 are expected to adopt the FY 2026 budget and set tax rates during the public portion of their meeting The votes taken then likely will be pro-forma with the decisions having been finalized during a mark-up session slated for this Thursday (April 3) at 2:30 p.m Public hearings on the budget and tax rates were held last week No public testimony on the budget will be taken at either the April 5 or April 7 meetings Tonight's meeting location will be at the APS Syphax Building Va. – The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is investigating a shooting that took place in Green Valley on the evening of November 16 police were dispatched to Virginia Hospital Center for the report of a juvenile male victim in his teens who self-reported to the hospital suffering from a gunshot wound considered serious but non-life-threatening It was subsequently determined a shooting occurred in the 3200 block of 24th Street S The preliminary investigation indicates the victim was outside when he was approached by two suspects and a physical altercation ensued Anyone with videos, photos, or other media that may assist this ongoing investigation is asked to upload media using this link Main AddressEllen M. Bozman Government Center2100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201 View Map View other County government locations Questions? Need help? Contact the County and learn who to call Sign up for Inside Arlington to get updates and information on projects                      Correction: A previous version of this article listed the Desert Hills Recreation Center as the event host The forum was hosted by the Green Valley Council at the Desert Hills Social Center In a press conference held Monday with Governor Katie Hobbs, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Management warned that the upcoming fire season could be one of the most critical in years With dry conditions predicted to mirror those of 2005 — a year that saw devastating wildfires — the community of Green Valley is ramping up its efforts to prevent a repeat of past disasters The area is located near the Sawmill Fire of 2017 which scorched nearly 47,000 acres of the Santa Rita Mountains Local officials are taking proactive steps to protect the area and find practical steps to mitigate the spread of wildfires The Green Valley Council (GVC) recently hosted a wildfire forum at the Desert Hills Social Center county and local fire officials to address wildfire risks and preparedness the GVC Emergency Response Committee Chair the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Prevention Captain and Santa Rita Fire District Outreach Coordinator L.T a community initiative designed to reduce wildfire risks were also in attendance to discuss strategies for mitigating the spread of fires in Green Valley Firewise Coordinator with the Greater Green Valley Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) emphasized the importance of clearing dry vegetation from common areas and washes to reduce the fuel load for potential wildfires He noted that conditions are especially dangerous during the spring when buffelgrass “There’s a lot of concern about wild grasses and how they’ve spread in our communities particularly around rights of way,” Galitski said so it does pose some risk to homes if it’s in close proximity to them.” the spring is a critical time to address these fire risks as buffelgrass is particularly vulnerable to ignition before it begins to regrow in the summer President of the Desert Hills 4 Homeowners Association (HOA) The HOA’s beautification and maintenance committees have been working hard to eradicate buffelgrass and they are now focusing on fountain grass Fleming stressed that the HOA is fully committed to becoming Firewise certified which is an important step in ensuring the neighborhood is prepared for a potential wildfire “We are 100 percent on board with Firewise,” Fleming said We’re trying to figure out a way to mitigate the risk especially since several insurance companies have pulled out of coverage in our area.” who referenced the devastating wildfires in California as a cautionary tale warned that even though Green Valley is often considered a low-risk area “Look what happened in California versus what can happen here,” he said “Even though everybody knows we’re low risk The Firewise program has already certified eight HOAs in the Green Valley area officials are now focusing on recruiting more communities to join the initiative in order to further strengthen the region's wildfire preparedness “The more communication there is between all the various partners the Green Valley community’s collaboration with local fire officials and the Firewise program will be crucial in reducing the risk of future wildfires and safeguarding homes For more information about the Firewise program and tips for wildfire preparedness, visit the organization’s website GREEN VALLEY, Ariz. (KGUN) — Since the passing of the 2022 PACT Act more than 3 million veterans have undergone toxic exposure screenings through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) a sweeping effort to support those exposed to harmful substances during their military service Valley Assistance Services (VAS) has recently opened its doors—literally—to help veterans navigate the often complicated VA system The organization now hosts U.S. Army veteran Dan Cady, a certified Veteran Service Officer from the American Legion Post 131 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 38 to meet with veterans and assist them through the process of filing for healthcare and disability compensation knows firsthand how overwhelming the process can be "They don’t understand what their benefits are—what they’re eligible for healthcare-wise or disability compensation-wise," he said "I try to guide them through the paperwork at the VA One local veteran who’s felt the impact of that guidance is Richard “Rock” Turner Turner was exposed to red fuming nitric acid during his service I’ve always had problems with my lungs,” Turner said It was his daughter who finally pushed him to seek help “She said go talk to a veterans service officer,” Turner said Turner credits Cady with helping him overcome the intimidating paperwork process and get access to benefits he didn’t even know he qualified for “Thank goodness for Dan—I could never do it on my own.” especially those exposed to toxins decades ago like Agent Orange or jet fuel are still unaware of the help now available to them under the PACT Act “We have 900-some veteran members and they all needed some help,” he said “There just wasn’t much available before.” The local initiative is just one of many community-level responses to the PACT Act which expands eligibility for VA healthcare and benefits to veterans exposed to burn pits Veterans in the Green Valley and Sahuarita area who believe they may be eligible for benefits under the PACT Act can schedule a free appointment with Cady at Valley Assistance Services Those interested can contact American Legion Post 131 or Disabled American Veterans Chapter 38 The Cardinal STEM Academy program with Green Valley Elementary went to East Tennessee University this past Saturday and competed against schools from Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina and showed incredible success. “They crushed it,” Green Valley Elementary teacher Meg Swecker said. “We were really just going with the expectation that we were going to have fun and learn how to compete.” The team, made up of Green Valley fifth graders, wracked up a number of achievements. Three out of four teams made the quarterfinals, and one team advanced to the finals competition. They also won the rookie award for best overall new team, autonomous award for best coding and second place overall. Have the day's biggest stories arrive in your inbox every day at 8 p.m. “They get there, they start all of their coding and then they are troubleshooting on the fly, fix[ing] things and then the next round said we need to do this this and this,” Green Valley Elementary teacher Kelley Cook said. “Just watching them go through all of the critical thinking and all of those steps was amazing.” There was an element of the unknown throughout the competition as sometimes the technology wouldn’t do what the students wanted it to do. “You never know if it will work because sometimes if it does a flip and it’s below a 50% then it doesn’t do the flip,” fifth-grader Finley Wray said. “so you never know if it’s going to do the flip or not.” No matter what the result would’ve been, everyone would’ve been proud of how much they have achieved. “We are very very proud of them,” Swecker said. “We would’ve been proud of them no matter what, but they really did a great job.” Copyright 2025 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved. Jason Freund is a Multimedia Journalist with WSLS 10 who had spent two and half years reporting in West Texas before moving to Roanoke in January 2025. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us Internships at WSLS 10 Careers at WSLS 10 Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications Copyright © 2025 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group (KGUN) — After nearly two decades of spirited performances heartfelt mentorship and a flair for costumed concerts John Snavely has officially stepped down as conductor of the Green Valley Concert Band April 13 performance at the Sahuarita Auditorium marked the end of an era—and the beginning of a new chapter for both the band and its beloved musical director who served as a clarinetist with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra for more than 50 years led the Green Valley Concert Band for the past 18 years A student of musical legends like John Williams and Arthur Fiedler he brought both experience and creativity to the podium and even the guys who were really athletic said His journey to the conductor’s stand was as unconventional as his approach to performances After founding the Sonoran Winds ensemble in Tucson to teach himself conducting Snavely’s appointment to the Green Valley Concert Band nearly didn’t happen—he forgot his initial interview a rescheduled meeting gave him the chance to take the baton Snavely was supposed to fill the role just for one year as the former director sought a nursing degree he helped transform the group into a tightly knit ensemble spanning generations Snavely says he still feels the spark from making music after all these years “What I really love is when we play a concert I get this feeling that the band is with me the audience is feeling it and I’m feeling,” Snavely said Snavely's sendoff featured “Chapeaux,” a piece composed especially for the occasion by renowned composer Jack Stamp who praised the Snavely’s unique personality He remarks on the first time he saw John perform during a performance of Stamp’s Border Dance “He has an oddity for conductors,” Stamp said “When John conducted ‘Border Dance,’ he came out wearing a sombrero But I found out John liked to dress up for all his concerts—even his granddaughter helped with the costuming.” Snavely says this unique practice began decades ago I’m told half the audience comes to see what I’m going to wear and the other half comes for the music.” Snavely adores the music Stamp made for him recalled being initially unimpressed when he first heard the group rehearse—before Snavely took over he even knows what he’s talking about—and he’s fun to play for.’” While Snavely’s departure marks a significant change Matt Williams from the University of Arizona as its new conductor Krinke looks toward a new future without John He’s done a great job.” Yet he’s assured that the band will continue stronger than ever There’s no reason to sit around and watch TV all day and slowly disintegrate.” he’s looking forward to more time spent traveling and birding—but he’s not ready to put down his baton for good “Maybe I'll go conduct somewhere else and do my dress up once in a while,” he said hinting that audiences may once again see him on stage—likely in costume To learn more about the Green Valley Concert Band and its upcoming performances, visitthe organization’s website the United Methodist Church Estate and Patio Sales have been a cornerstone of the Green Valley community offering a unique solution for homeowners transitioning to assisted living moving in with family or dealing with the passing of a loved one These sales not only ease the burden on families but also support a host of local nonprofits making a significant impact on the community are the longest-running organization of their kind in the area With the average age of Green Valley at 73 years old they provide a vital service for Green Valley residents “They call Green Valley 'God’s waiting room' but to spend the last years in a great place to live,” Brian Dean a volunteer with the United Methodist Church Estate Sales or they move to assisted living or move back home to be with their family they have a house full of things to get rid of.” Volunteers from the church step in to organize and run the estate sales ensuring that homes are emptied and ready for sale while the remaining 30% is donated to local nonprofits These include groups like the Animal League of Green Valley the organization has donated $25,000 annually all-volunteer,” Hummel said the only money we use is for supplies such as tape the service is a lifeline during a challenging time as many of the estate executors live out-of-state In addition to dealing with the loss of a loved one they are faced with the added burden of having to figure what to do with the things left behind the kids or other family members are far away,” said Barbara Suthards “We’re able to do a huge favor for them in many ways They can pretty much leave it in our hands.” ‘You would not believe how much stress you’ve relieved off my mind because we take care of everything.” Everything includes sweeping floors and making sure the house is empty once the sales are finished Hummel says the house is sale-ready and the group is ready to “move onto the next sale.” Once the sales conclude, any remaining items are donated to local charities. This tends to include unsold furniture. For the sale held on Friday, Jan. 29, beneficiaries included Teen Challenge in Tucson and Crossroads Nogales Mission This ensures that nothing goes to waste and that the community continues to benefit For more information about the United Methodist Church of Green Valley Estate Sales, visit its website The Arlington County Board has delayed making a final decision on a controversial Green Valley redevelopment proposal Glebe Road — the current site of Hotel Pentagon and Comfort Inn Pentagon City “There’s more to talk about,” Board member Maureen Coffey said after a public hearing ran over five hours with some residents and local churches reiterating concerns that dominated a Planning Commission meeting last month Board members will return on Wednesday evening to consider the item The development proposal calls for 37 three-bedroom townhouses in four buildings to accompany a nine-story multifamily building with units ranging in size from 620 to 1,740 square feet An eight-level garage would provide parking on the 5.52-acre parcel The developer is seeking changes to the General Land Use Plan Master Transportation Plan and a site plan to allow redevelopment of the site Elements of controversy include the project’s size the degree of affordable housing and the proposed community-benefits package The Rev. Adrian Nelson II of Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church said the complex would “dwarf” his institution which has been in Green Valley since the 1870s He argued that approving the proposal as-is would make the review process “simply a charade” and indicate that “the handwriting is on the wall that the days of the county are numbered.” The Rev. Craig Harcum, senior pastor of the nearby Macedonia Baptist Church said his congregation stands in unity with Lomax He urged Board members to “make every effort to protect the health the stability and the well-being of our beloved Green Valley.” representing the Arlington County Civic Federation said his organization understands the need for new development but urged elected officials to “listen to the voices of the community.” that is not the case,” Giacobbe said Supporters of the proposal included the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and the Planning Commission, which voted to support the proposal told Board members that the developer had “made changes in response to the church’s concerns.” They included removal of balconies that would have overlooked Lomax’s cemetery setting the building farther from the church than required and changing the color of bricks facing the church But the majority of the testimony came from those unhappy with the proposal “Although I know that change is inevitable and big does not by any means mean better,” said Brenda Cox who has been a member of the Lomax congregation since 1951 Portia Clark, the immediate past president of the Green Valley Civic Association criticized county leaders for taking the views of her community for granted “We have said for years: The county process for engagement does not work for our community,” she said When it comes to excessive levels of development “Green Valley has been a target for years,” Clark said “The traffic impact will be unreal,” Cox predicted proposed holding off for several days to seek compromises “We need to be listening,” Spain said of the community backlash “If we are not listening … we are tone-deaf.” Among those in attendance with hopes of a consensus solution was Alfred Taylor Jr. who has become something of a living embodiment of the Green Valley community and its values The delay in final action gave him optimism “I’m happy to hear the developer is willing to work with the civic association,” said Taylor, a deacon at Macedonia Baptist who has written extensively about the Green Valley community’s history and residents The parcel in 1957 was rezoned from residential to hotel use McLean-based Capital Second Investments LLC has owned the site since 2003 when it purchased it for about $12.5 million GREEN VALLEY, Ariz. (KGUN) — On Sunday, March 30th, community members in Green Valley will come together to celebrate National Take a Walk in the Park Day at the historic Canoa Ranch The Green Valley Council Foundation is organizing a walkathon to debut the park's newest trail inviting residents and visitors to experience the scenic beauty of the conservation land Participants in the walkathon will have the opportunity to explore the park’s southern end Among the highlights are a 30-stall horse barn and a rodeo grounds setup expanding the ranch's capacity for future programming and events "This is an exciting time for Canoa Ranch," said Debbie Kenyon "We are committed to preserving this historic space and providing new opportunities for the community to gather and enjoy it." Canoa Ranch has a rich history, with its preservation rooted in the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan The land was acquired in 2002 as part of the plan’s efforts to protect vital desert landscapes the ranch compound is recognized on the federal registry for its historic significance The Walkathon will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with all ticket proceeds benefiting the ranch’s conservation and restoration efforts. Event details and registration information can be found at the Green Valley Council Foundation website Remedy Medical Properties and Kayne Anderson Real Estate have announced the completion of UCHealth Green Valley Ranch Medical Center a master-planned community in the northeast Denver neighborhood of Gateway-Green Valley Ranch Other experienced members of the project team included Davis Partnership Architects, civil engineer Kimley-Horn and general contractor Howell Construction the building is highly visible at a busy intersection near Tower Road and 56th Avenue and is designed to be instantly recognizable as a UCHealth property using a palette of materials consistent with the health system’s other facilities 12,170-square-foot medical office building (MOB) will house urgent care imaging and physical therapy to serve the area’s rapidly growing population UCHealth expects the location to see its first patients in the spring of 2025 “Remedy has developed a strong relationship with UCHealth through partnerships on a number of healthcare facilities throughout metro Denver,” said Jim Moylan executive vice president and managing director of design and construction with Remedy “As UCHealth neared lease expiration on their older facility in the submarket the health system turned to Remedy to secure a new location for its urgent care and outpatient services that would better position them to cater to this diverse and growing community.” Designed for efficiency and adaptability, the new MOB features prominent façades on nearly every elevation capturing the attention of passing vehicles pedestrians and patients approaching the building The unusual hexagonal footprint maximizes interior natural light and optimizes stunning Front Range views for physical therapy patients while ensuring that no side of the building is the “back.” The entryway marked by a large sweeping arch reminiscent of UCHealth’s logo The 1.18-acre property boasts 61 parking spaces Its strategic location near Peña Boulevard and the I-70 interchange provides easy access for the surrounding communities the project faced multiple challenges in land acquisition and city approvals due to a large permit and review backlog caused by the pandemic leveraging its deep development expertise to keep the project on track In collaboration with UCHealth and the City of Denver Remedy secured the complex land purchase of the new MOB’s prominent site as well as all necessary entitlements The development team proactively negotiated with adjacent property owners to resolve timing issues quickly and handled off-site cost-sharing and utility agreements with the land seller Remedy expedited the shell completion in just seven and a half months allowing UCHealth to start interior fit-out ahead of schedule to ensure the facility opens to patients in the spring as planned “We couldn’t be happier with the team we assembled to make this project a success,” Moylan said “Thanks to our proactive development approach the facility was delivered on time and on budget allowing UCHealth to provide the community with a conveniently located state-of-the-art outpatient destination for urgent care Opus has broken ground on Catalyst Industrial a new 188,054-square-foot Class A speculative industrial development on 14.26 acres located at 15030 E Each year during National Preservation Month Historic Denver opens the doors for the public to nominate the people and projects GREEN VALLEY, Ariz. (KGUN) — With wildfire season on the horizon, residents of Green Valley are taking proactive measures to mitigate potential fire hazards. As part of Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week, the Portillo Ridge Firewise Committee has been working closely with the Green Valley Council to address growing concerns over dry brush in common areas and washes Portillo Ridge resident Timothy Gronseth voiced the collective worry of homeowners noting how changing weather patterns have exacerbated fire risks "It’s kind of scary when you think about how dry we are and the exposures we have," Gronseth said homeowners like Mike Millikin have stepped up clearing yard waste and reducing vegetation around their properties "I hauled about 10 cubic yards of yard waste just in the last month from my own personal property," Millikin explained emphasizes the importance of reducing fuel sources for fires "The Firewise plan is a mitigation effort to reduce and control vegetation that could pose a hazard to homeowners," Fields said Whether the grasses are invasive or native we need to control that in the fire respect.” the committee collaborated with the Green Valley Council to identify particularly hazardous areas including the more than two dozen washes traversing the community Council President Debbie Kenyon acknowledged the joint responsibility of various entities in addressing the issue stating that ownership of these areas is shared between HOAs Fields says the shared ownership presents challenges for clearing out hazardous debris “We do have a greater fuel load both in our commons area and the wash areas,” Fields said “This takes a specific and exact approach because they are in riparian areas yet meet our county expectations in working those areas.” Fields says that the group is working on a “partnership” where county officials would provide Firewise practices on county-owned land The Green Valley Council plans to present a fire prevention plan to county and state leaders seeking financial assistance for cleanup efforts the Firewise Committee is exploring potential grants and insurance discounts to incentivize proactive mitigation measures "It’s incumbent upon all of us to unite together to try to take care of any fire risk as best we can on our own property but also work with officials that we have," Gronseth emphasized “The more we can get the education out to homeowners to reduce the fire risk on their property but also support and reinforce the need to do that in the Green Valley community Being proactive only needs to catch on more in this area.” Portillo Ridge is one of eight HOAs in Green Valley that have earned Firewise certification run by the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management works with homeowners and homeowner associations to prevent wildfire spread on their property For more information on wildfire prevention, residents can visit the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management's Firewise program website (KGUN) — A Green Valley man has inherited a cherished family tradition that has captivated his heart for years — a massive model train collection and setup passed down from his late father-in-law Tom Diederich has spent years maintaining and expanding the collection a fellow model train enthusiast who also served as a Sante Fe switchman Tom received the elaborate model train setup from his father-in-law a collection Bob had spent decades curating and perfecting Bob's passion for model trains led him to build a 20 by 40-foot addition to his home specifically designed to house the collection The vast room included meticulously crafted trains Bob didn’t just collect trains; he built them from scratch and painted every detail down to the murals that bring the scenes to life The scenes showcase life during the late 19th and early 20th century "It takes you back to horse-drawn buggies and old-time cars Tom became interested in trains as a child in the 1960s starting with HO model trains before switching to all-gauge trains upon acquiring the collection He also created miniatures in his native Chicago as part of a small business creating displays for other businesses unique interests led to a fast friendship between Tom and Bob Tom recalls first meeting his father-in-law and immediately hitting it off "We just struck up a conversation with him 'I'm into trains too,' and Bob looked at me and said It was a meeting that sparked a lasting bond between the two with Bob serving as a Marine in World War II Tom’s admiration for Bob's work grew as he spent hours in Bob’s Chicago basement exploring the layout that had become a lifelong project Bob’s meticulous work included creating custom-made buildings The collection was not just a hobby; it was a labor of love that reflected Bob’s devotion to the craft decided to move to Arizona after Sue’s mother was overwhelmed by the massive collection of trains The couple agreed to buy the Green Valley home after Sue's mother's passing "That’s why we bought this house — because of the trains,” Sue said Sue says trains were a large part of her childhood Her father would take her to the train depot to watch steam engines depart "I spent a lot of my time as a child in hobby shops," Sue said "We would travel to Walters in Milwaukee for regular day trips I always appreciated the detail with miniatures." Tom has continued to build on the collection Tom took it upon himself to complete the projects Bob had left unfinished carefully adding new pieces to the massive layout "I took a look at all the things that he’d never gotten to the model train collection represents more than just a hobby; it’s about preserving a tradition that has shaped his life mentioning that he signs his name on his creations “Maybe someone will appreciate it down the line." The dedication to continuing Bob’s work reflects a deep love for the hobby and the bond between father-in-law and son-in-law the legacy is much more than the trains — it’s about continuing a shared passion one that may inspire future generations to take an interest in the fascinating world of model trains several local farmers markets are opening or expanding their hours starting next week A total of 10 markets are open this year — with the county’s newest addition, the Green Valley Farmers Market Town Square (2406 Shirlington Road) will be open every Friday from 4-7 p.m “Buy fresh fruits and vegetables to take home or have dinner with us on-site,” the webpage advertises “There will be cooking demonstrations staged events and featured will be our Fish Fry and Dinner Chats.” The following seasonal markets are also setting up shop starting the first week of April the following markets are open year-round but are altering their hours starting in April Two more markets are opening the first week of May In Pentagon City, Metropolitan Park (1400 S. Eads Street) has also begun hosting two markets starting this month: a Saturday market from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and a Tuesday market from 10 a.m.-2 p.m Year-round, the Columbia Pike Farmers Market is also open on Sundays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m Vegetables in season at the moment include broccoli Photo via Cliff/Flickr Over a dozen additional fruit trees and bushes have joined an orchard at a Green Valley elementary school which volunteers from several local organizations planted on Saturday “The response has been incredible,” Mary Glass of the Arlington Tree Connection told ARLnow The initiative for fruit trees was conceived by Portia Clark immediate past president of the Green Valley Civic Association The fruit from mature trees will be available to members of the community as well as the school The civic association will be responsible for maintaining the trees and bushes and individuals will be able to “adopt” specific ones for care “This will be a community resource,” Glass said Asked about when the first fruit will be available from the trees as they mature she said: “I don’t think it’ll be this year On hand to assist in leading efforts was Nathan Steele a third-grade teacher at Drew who previously completed gardening projects in multiple locations on the campus brought a contingent from local chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha a sorority whose members are active in community-service and education efforts In addition to providing food for the neighborhood the project aims to reinforce the school’s existing science and environmental curricula and provide “deep The effort also pays tribute to the history of the Green Valley community before residential development overtook it (KGUN) — The University of Arizona’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) in Green Valley is at risk of closing within the next month due to a severe shortage of volunteers Signs posted on classroom doors warn that without additional support the long-standing adult education program may be forced to shut down which has provided lifelong learning opportunities for adults 50 and older has been a staple in the community since it expanded to Green Valley 18 years ago begun in partnership with the University of Arizona non-credit courses designed to keep retirees engaged mentally and socially volunteer participation has dwindled since the COVID-19 pandemic and has not recovered “Our big plea right now is essentially that we’ve got this amazing community resource,” said Scott Aldridge and it needs people to stand up and volunteer for it We need people to help teach and build up our curriculum.” OLLI seeks volunteer instructors and for management tasks such as opening/closing classrooms greeting guests and managing audio/visual equipment who has been attending classes for 14 years OLLI is more than just an education program—it’s a way to stay mentally sharp and socially connected “Not only being able to get caught up on things you have some experience with but learning new things—that’s really important at our age,” Connell said The program serves as a social and intellectual hub for retirees helping prevent isolation among seniors while fostering a sense of belonging a former UA professor and current educator at OLLI says the program fills a fundamental human need to belong “We seek out ways to fulfill that need to belong,” he said “OLLI can provide a social environment in which you feel like to belong to this organization Bissell teaches a class based on narrative libraries and beliefs that each person holds within their mind “Part of what they can do in their aging is refine your narrative library through taking classes at OLLI,” Bissell said “You can learn new stuff and you can see how things work differently and how if can apply to our lives we can achieve the quality of life that we require Aldridge emphasized the urgency of finding at least 90 volunteers within the next month to keep the Green Valley campus operational OLLI will continue its Tucson campus and online offerings but the Green Valley community would lose a valuable resource “We’d just like to see it grow back and would hate for that resource to go away because it serves the community extremely well,” Aldridge added Those interested in becoming volunteer instructors can find more information at OLLI-Green Valley’s website OLLI memberships can be purchased yearly or by semester starting at $155 for a semester pass at the Green Valley campus The spring semester is underway and closed to new memberships but the fall semester will open up for registration during the summer You can find more information about class offerings at OLLI-Green Valley at the organization’s website