Welcome to issue #56 of Trail Mix, a weekly newsletter that’s about the people, places, history, and happenings in Southeastern Arizona.
Grab an iced pumpkin spice latte, shake off the heat wave, and let's jump into what's happening around the Vail area this week.
~ Kimberly
Publisher of Trail Mix
How a Simple Mosaic Tile is Shaping the Culture of Vail Schools
Walk into Saguaro Creek K-8 or pass through the courtyard at Mica Mountain High, and it won't take long to spot them: bright, handcrafted mosaic murals spelling out a quiet command—BE KIND.
In a district growing as fast as Vail, keeping a tight-knit community feel takes intentional effort. For thousands of local kids, that effort starts every morning through Ben’s Bells and its Kind Campus program.
While many of us recognize the colorful ceramic bells hidden in public parks or the mosaic art framing local school walls, the work happening inside the classroom goes far beyond cheerful decor. The Kind Campus initiative—completely free for participating schools—served over 100,000 students across Southern Arizona last year alone, turning kindness from a soft sentiment into a daily, brain-backed practice.
The Science Behind the Smile
It turns out, being kind isn't just a warm feeling—it’s social science. The Kind Campus curriculum translates emotional intelligence into practical, everyday habits for young minds. Instead of treating kindness as an abstract rule, lessons focus on how intentional actions rewire our habits, build confidence, and strengthen social connections that boost long-term well-being.
Teachers across local campuses like Mesquite and Ocotillo Ridge Elementary use these adaptable tools to shape the environment in hallways, playgrounds, and lunchrooms. It’s also why you’ll see students carrying Kindness Coins, not as a gold star or reward for good behavior, but as a tangible prompt to help kids slow down, check in with their emotions, and recognize intentional acts of good around them.
Taking It Beyond the School Gates
The real magic happens when those lessons leave the driveway. Through "Kindness at Home" prompts, students are encouraged to bring those daily practices home to their families, sports teams, and neighborhood blocks, empowering local kids to see themselves as community influencers.
As our corner of the valley continues to welcome new families, those visual reminders, whether a school mural co-created by local artists or a small ceramic coin passed between neighbors, anchor what we value here.
How to Get Involved:
At Home: Talk about kindness intentionally with your kids. Name it when you see it in everyday life.
Through PTOs: Help organize funding for campus mural projects, school assemblies, or studio field trips.
For Business Owners: Consider sponsoring a school mural for local campuses that need financial support to bring an installation to their grounds.
To check out free lesson plans, monthly themes, or program toolkits, head over to bensbells.org/kindcampus.
May | A904987
Located At: Pima Animal Care Center - Eastside
Spayed female, blue merle Australian Cattle Dog. The shelter staff think she is about 2 years and 1 month old.
Any Bluey fans out there? May is the perfect Bluey look-alike. She shares her kennel with another pup, and she makes the best faces!
📅 Local Events In the Newsletter Are Back! You asked, I listened! Based on your feedback, I’m moving away from the monthly at-a-glance calendar and returning to weekly neighborhood event listings right here in Trail Mix.
Have an upcoming event, market, or community gathering you want to share with neighbors? Submit your event here to get it on the schedule.
(Looking to highlight your business or make your event stand out with a custom banner image? Hit reply on this email—I’d love to share the local sponsor options with you!)
Happening Around Town: Aug 27 – Sept 3
⚡ Vail School District Athletics (Home Games)
🏈 JV Football Home Kickoff | Empire High School vs. Sahuaro
When: Thursday, August 27 | 6:00 PM
Where: Empire High School Stadium, 10701 E Mary Ann Cleveland Way, Tucson
The Details: Kick off local football season under the lights! Head out to the Empire stadium to support the JV Ravens as they host Sahuaro High School.
📍 Community Events & Happenings
👶 Stay and Play | Christ Lutheran Vail Church
When: Friday, August 28 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Where: Room 202, Christ Lutheran Vail Church, 14600 E Colossal Cave Rd, Vail
The Details: Bring your little ones (ages 0 through Pre-K) for a free interactive morning of playtime and connection with other local parents and caregivers.
🍦 Grand Opening Celebration | Jeremiah's Italian Ice of Rita Ranch
When: Saturday, August 29 & Sunday, August 30
Where: 10165 E Old Vail Rd, Suite 111, Rita Ranch
The Details: Enjoy half-off tadpole, small, and medium treats all weekend long! On Saturday (Aug 29), check out a petting zoo, face painter, and balloon animals from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Plus, the first 100 guests to check into the Jeremiah’s Rewards App on Saturday score Free Ice for a Year (one free small treat per month).
🌶️ 4th Annual Green Chile Fest | Four Arrows Garden Center
When: Saturday, August 29 & Sunday, August 30 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where: 13499 E Success Dr, Vail
The Details: Enjoy live Hatch green chile roasting on-site, local food trucks, family recipe ideas, a Lil' Sprout planting station for kids, and great playlists amid mountain garden views. Walk-ins for roasted chiles are welcome (best times: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM).
🥕 Saturday Morning Market | Rustic Roots Farmers Market
When: Saturday, August 29 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: 9848 E Old Vail Rd, Tucson
The Details: Stock up on local produce, baked goods, artisan crafts, and coffee from neighborhood vendors right in Rita Ranch.
🌽 Sweet Corn Extravaganza | Apple Annie's Produce Farm
When: Saturday, August 29 & Sunday, August 30 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where: 6405 W Williams Rd, Willcox
The Details: Head out to the farm for fresh-picked sweet corn at the peak of the season, plus mouthwatering roasted sweet corn served up fresh all weekend long.
🏁 "Smokin' Hot" Saturday Night Racing | Tucson Speedway
When: Saturday, August 29 | Gates open at 5:00 PM | Racing starts at 6:30 PM
Where: Tucson Speedway, 11900 S Harrison Rd, Tucson
The Details: Catch high-octane local racing featuring Thunder Trucks, Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Hornets, Hobby Stocks, Mini-Stocks, and JR Late Models.
🎉 Final Farewell Party | Hacienda del Lago Restaurant
When: Saturday, August 29 | Starts at 5:00 PM (Live music with Andy Hersey at 6:30 PM)
Where: Hacienda del Lago, 14155 E Via Sombra, Vail
The Details: Say goodbye to Hacienda del Lago with a community farewell celebration featuring drink specials and live music by Andy Hersey.
🍷 Weekend Patio Views & Live Music | Charron Winery
When: Saturday, August 29 & Sunday, August 30 | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Where: 18585 S Sonoita Hwy, Vail
The Details: Enjoy cool mountain breezes, local Southern Arizona wines, and live patio music overlooking the valley.
📚 Family Storytime | Esmond Station Library
When: Tuesday, September 1 | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Where: 10931 E Mary Ann Cleveland Way, Vail
The Details: Join in for a fun morning story, song, and activity session designed for young kiddos and their caregivers.
🔔 Educator Open House | Ben's Bells Studio
When: Thursday, September 3 | 4:30 PM
Where: 40 W Broadway Blvd, Downtown Tucson
The Details: Connect with the Ben's Bells team and learn more about bringing Kind Campus programming to your school or organization. Open to all educators, administrators, parents, students, volunteers, and community members.
Welcome to Spot the Lie, our new weekly game testing your local desert wisdom! Think you know the quirks, history, and survival secrets of our Southern Arizona backyard? Hit reply with your best guess. The answer will appear in next week's issue.
⚡ Two Truths & A Lie
Think you know the history and quirks of our local schools? Two of these statements about our home are real, but one is a lie.
A) Founded back in 1903, the Vail School District originally operated out of a one-room schoolhouse on a ranch near the Pantano Wash before moving to the site of what is now Old Vail Middle School.
B) For 25 years—from 1930 to 1955—two sisters named Esta and Lottie Trotter made up virtually the entire teaching staff for the entire district.
C) Vail did not open its very first comprehensive high school (Cienega High School) until 1985, after operating only K-8 schools for over 80 years.
Think you spotted the lie? Hit REPLY to this email with your answer (A, B, or C)!
Answer to last week’s game: C was the lie!
SEE YOU OUT THERE
Publisher, Arizona Trail Mix
Southern Arizona's Unofficial Hype Woman