Welcome to issue #26 of Trail Mix, a weekly newsletter about the people, places, history, and happenings in Southeastern Arizona.
Buy that firewood and soak up today’s warm temps! This weekend is looking to be chilly, drizzly, and the kind of January beauty we can easily embrace, knowing that the 70s will return very soon. Don’t you love Arizona winters?
~ Kimberly
In Partnership With:
If you’ve ever found yourself curious about the homeschool path, I’d love to invite you to join me at my sister publication, The Ten AM. This newsletter is a dedicated space for families to find confidence and community in their educational journey.
The name is a nod to that specific hour of the morning when the "real world" becomes the classroom. It’s a time of freedom where we lean into the belief that the power to educate is a beautiful, personal gift held by the family. Whether you are a veteran homeschooler or just exploring your options, The Ten AM is about finding a new rhythm that reveals the brilliant potential of every individual student.
Field Report
Scouting Out the 2026-2027 School Year
January isn't just the start of a new calendar year. It is the official "decision season" for families looking ahead to the next school year. This is the week when parents and students trade stories at the grocery store about campus vibes, CTE programs, and commute times. Whether you are prepping for that milestone first day of Kindergarten or navigating the high school "Choice" system, right now is the time to chart your course for the 2026-2027 school year.
🏫 Vail School District: Key Enrollment Dates
While many of the larger "Roundup" events took place in the fall, the most critical administrative dates are happening right now. If you are planning to have a student in a Vail school this August, these are the dates to circle in red:
High School Choice Portal: The window officially opens on February 2, 2026. This is when 8th-grade families submit their rankings for which high school they would like to attend.
Open Enrollment Priority: For those living outside a specific school's boundary, the "priority" window for high school applications closes on January 31, 2026. Applications are accepted after this date, but they move to a first-come, first-served basis.
Kindergarten Eligibility: Your child must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2026. If you missed the fall Roundups, don’t worry—schools are currently accepting registrations online, and most are happy to schedule a private tour if you call the front office.
Remaining Tours:
Empire High School: If you’re reading this on Thursday morning, you’re just in time! Their Future Freshman Night is tonight, January 22, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
Andrada Polytechnic: Mark your calendars for next Tuesday, January 27. This is the dedicated day for future Mavericks to check out Andrada’s specialized career pathways.
Pro-Tip: If you missed the Cienega or Mica Mountain events, you can still call their front offices to schedule a campus visit. The district prides itself on being a "District of Choice," and they want you to see the campuses in action.
🕊️ Creation School: Small-Scale, Heart-Centered
For those looking at private, faith-based options, Creation School on Colossal Cave Road is now moving into Open Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year. Serving preschoolers through 8th grade, Creation is a "village" school in every sense. Their curriculum is unique to our area, integrating a farm-and-garden nature program with traditional academics. Because they prioritize small class sizes, these seats fill quickly. Mark your calendar for next Thursday, January 29, for their open house from 5 PM - 6:30 PM.
📚 The Homeschool Option
Choosing to homeschool for 2026-2027 offers a level of flexibility that many local families are finding increasingly attractive. But "going it alone" doesn't mean being alone.
The Ten AM: Get courage, confidence, and clarity in making your decision to homeschool.
Homeschool Underground (HUG): This local co-op provides a structured community for those wanting a shared learning experience for their kids.
CHET-SE: A pillar for Christian home educators in the Southeast area, offering everything from park days to formal graduation ceremonies.
Microschools & Pods: Keep an eye on Vail Blended Learning and other emerging microschools that use ESA (Empowerment Scholarship Account) funding to provide specialized, small-group instruction right here in our neighborhood.
🎉 Save the Date: Vail Pride Day 2026
Mark your calendars for Vail Pride Day 2026! This massive community celebration is the heartbeat of our area. While the main event is still a few months away, the district has officially begun the "nomination season." If there is a teacher, volunteer, or support staff member who has made a difference in your family's life this year, now is the time to submit their name. Honoring those who make our schools great is truly the "Vail Way."
PET OF THE WEEK
Sharri (A882117)
This sweet girl spent some time in foster care, where her foster said:
"I love her wriggly body, pointy ears, and expressive topaz eyes. Her fur is so soft! She's a sweet little gem looking for a perfect home. Though she came to PACC as a stray, we think Shari/Sugar once had a home because her manners are perfect: she rides well in the car, she's 100% housetrained and crate-trained, and she sleeps all night long on her own dog bed by my bedside. She loves all the people she's met and greets them with her tail wagging her whole body and happy kisses. Each morning we walked a few miles and then again in the afternoon a mile or two. Shari walked on my left side on a loose leash. On our walks, she does get excited by other dogs and bicycles, but we're working on calming down. She's so quick to learn! She already knew 'sit' and she's learning 'down' and 'wait.' I loved training her. She's so smart and eager to please!"
Meet her at PACC! She has a $0 adoption fee, so you'd only have to pay the $20 licensing fee to bring her home.
THE CORKBOARD
Featured events and happenings around the greater Vail area.
Empire Ranch Trail Run
The event includes a 10k Trail Run, a 5k Trail Run/Walk, and a 1-mile family-friendly trail walk/run, plus tours and demonstrations to celebrate the Empire Ranch's 150th Anniversary. Learn more here.
🎉 Save the Date: Vail Pride Day 2026
Mark your calendars for Vail Pride Day 2026! This massive community celebration is the heartbeat of our area. While the main event is still a few months away, the district has officially begun the "nomination season." If there is a teacher, volunteer, or support staff member who has made a difference in your family's life this year, now is the time to submit their name. Honoring those who make our schools great is truly the "Vail Way."
Jurassic Quest is ROARING into Tucson, AZ from January 30th - February 1st at the Pima County Fairgrounds!
DON’T MISS:
* LIFE-SIZE, SKY-SCRAPING DINOSAURS
* ONE-OF-A-KIND WALKING DINOSAUR RIDES
* LIFE-SIZE T.REX SKULL
* INCREDIBLE FOSSILS, including REAL T.rex teeth and Triceratops horn
Come join us from January 30 - February 1st at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, AZ!
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO FIND TICKET PRICES AND PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE:
https://www.jurassicquest.com/events/NRSP47
HOME ON THE RANGE
Welcome to an updated Home on the Range section. It’s here where we drink our coffee together on the porch as we talk about what it’s like to live in the desert.
Realtors! If you have a home you’d like to highlight, secure your spot here.
When the clouds hit the Rincons this weekend, what’s your favorite way to enjoy it?
- A) The Porch Sitter: Coffee in hand, sitting on the patio.
- B) The Window Opener: Cracking every window in the house to let the scent in.
- C) The Puddle Jumper: Getting the kids (or the dogs) outside to play in it immediately.
- D) The Desert Driver: Taking a slow drive down Colossal Cave Rd just to see the colors change.
WHAT’S HAPPENIN’
Add an upcoming event to the Trail Mix calendar! It's free right here. ⤵️
January 22
Hello Kitty Escape Room | Valencia Library | 4 PM - 5:30 PM
January 23
CLV Stay and Play | Creation School | 9 AM
Paint Party | Vail Coffee Stop | 5 PM - 7 PM
January 24
Empire Ranch Trail Run | Empire Ranch | 8:30 AM - 2 PM
Fly a Drone Day | Pima Air & Space Museum | 10 AM - 3 PM
Live Steel Drum Music and Watercolors for Beginners | Charron Vineyards & Winery | 2 PM
January 25
First Shots: Pima County Shooting Sports Program | Southeast Regional Park Rifle & Park Range | 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 11:30 AM *Spots are limited
January 27
Read to a Dog! | W. Anne Gibson-Esmond Station Library | 3:30 PM - 3:30 PM
SNACK BREAK
In honor of the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, we’re highlighting a special snack this week…
WINTER SPICE SLOW COOKER SNACK MIX
1 1/2 cups Planter's Winter Spiced Mix
1 cup Planter's Mixed Nuts
3 cups rice squares cereal
3 cups corn squares cereal
2 cups pretzels
1 1/2 cups toasted o's cereal
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepperFRO
To the bowl of your slow cooker, add the Planter's Winter Spiced Mix, the mixed nuts from the Planter's Mixed Nuts, rice squares cereal, corn squares cereal, pretzels, and toasted O's cereal.
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, whisk in the brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, salt, and cayenne pepper until smooth and combined. Let cook for 2-3 minutes and then remove from heat.
Pour the sauce over the snack mix and stir thoroughly until evenly coated.
Cook on low for 3 hours, stirring every hour to prevent the mixture from burning.
Once cooked, pour the snack mix into an even layer onto a large baking sheet. Let dry and cool completely. Serve or store in an airtight container for 2 weeks.
Enjoy!
THE OUTDOOR REPORT
Sunrise: 7:21 AM
Sunset: 5:47 PM
Air Quality: Fair (25 AQI)
Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent
SEE YOU OUT THERE
Publisher, Arizona Trail Mix
Southern Arizona's Unofficial Hype Woman