It’s only March, but we’re already getting flooded with emails from parents asking one question: “Where are the kids going this summer?!”

We are building the Ultimate 2026 Vail and SE Tucson Summer Camp Guide to help ou neighbors find the best sports, STEM, arts, and outdoor programs in the area. If you run a camp in Vail, Rita Ranch, or East Tucson, we want to feature you!

In our corner of the Sonoran Desert, we are used to the rhythm of the trails. We hike for the views, we run for our health, and we walk to find peace. But on March 28, a special kind of walk is taking place at Cienega High School. This walk isn’t just about the miles covered, but about the hands held and the lives changed along the way.

The Ethan Ardrey Project was born of profound loss, but it has blossomed into a beacon of hope for families right here in Vail. This mission is a true community effort, organized in close partnership with the Vail School District Foundation to ensure that mental health resources are accessible to every student and family in our district.

To understand the walk, you have to understand Ethan. I recently had the privilege of speaking with the woman behind the mission: Ethan’s mother. Her words weren't those of someone looking for a cure for grief, but of someone who has channeled her son’s heart of gold into a lifeline for others. By all accounts, he was the kind of young man we all hope our children become—caring, loving, and gifted with a brand of kindness that felt effortless.

"There wasn’t a time when Ethan wouldn’t do everything he could to help someone or lend a hand," his mother shared. "We work diligently to keep his name and spirit alive by doing what he did best: sharing kindness and offering help to those in need."

That mission started with a little library in their neighborhood, stocked with mental health resources. From there, the spirit of Ethan’s kindness grew into an annual event that has become a staple for our community: a free family mental health awareness walk.

When Ethan passed, the outpouring of support from the Vail community revealed a quiet, underlying truth: many of our neighbors were struggling, too. Parents reached out, sharing that their own children were hurting, but they didn’t know where to turn or how to afford the rising costs of therapy while trying to keep their households afloat.

This realization led to a powerful collaboration. "Meeting Stacy Winstryg from the Vail School District Foundation has been one of the best things that has happened to the Ethan Ardrey Project," Ethan’s mother noted. "We have partnered with her and the foundation for the last two walks, and she has brought such compassion and drive to our mission of helping families."

Together, they are working to bridge the gap between those who need help and the resources they deserve.

The Ethan Ardrey Project believes that community and joy are vital parts of mental wellness. When we gather at Cienega High School on March 28, it will be a true community celebration. The event features food trucks, a DJ, jumping castles for the kids, and a large silent auction.

That auction is the engine of the project. The funds raised go directly back into our community, helping local families cover therapy co-pays and their children's prescriptions. To date, thanks to the generosity of Vail residents and partners like The Window Depot, who have helped raise $20,000 over the last three walks, the project is making a tangible dent in the barriers to mental health care.

"We want those who feel alone to realize they are not," Ethan’s mother emphasized. "I hope to foster a better understanding of what mental health truly is and how important it is to create an environment where those who are struggling feel safe, heard, and cared for."

Support the Mission: If you cannot attend but would like to contribute to the fund for local therapy co-pays and student scholarships, donate here.

Peakaboo AKA “Gummy Bear” (A830417)
Located At: Pima Animal Care Center - Tucson
Description: Spayed female, brown tabby and white Domestic Shorthair
Weight: Approximately 5 lbs.
Age: About 1 year and 6 months old

Peekaboo is a lovely tabby and white girl with a gentle spirit and a story of resilience. She previously lived as a community cat, and while she’s still a bit shy, she’s shown that she’s friendly enough to enjoy the comfort and safety of indoor life. Peekaboo recently had all of her teeth removed to prevent painful inflammation, and she’s feeling much better now. These days she’s affectionately known as a “gummy bear”—still perfectly able to eat and enjoy life, just with a softer smile. She may take a little time to feel confident in a new home, but with patience and kindness, Peekaboo has the potential to blossom into a sweet companion.

Featured events and happenings around the greater Vail area.

Looking for the best deals on kids' gear? Join Tiny Treasures for three days of incredible shopping where you can find clothes, shoes, toys, and more at up to 90% off of retail prices! Beyond the shopping, they’ll have local vendors, food trucks, and family activities. Bring the whole crew! Here is the full schedule:

🗓️ 𝗧𝗛𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝟭𝟵𝗧𝗛
Drop off
Volunteers: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Foster Families: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Paid Admission ($2 Cash Only): 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
🗓️ 𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝟮𝟬𝗧𝗛
Public Sale: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🗓️ 𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝟮𝟭𝗦𝗧
✨ Select Items 50% OFF ✨
Public Sale: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Start your morning with horsepower, hot coffee, and hometown spirit! Join on March 21 from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM for Corona Classic Cars & Coffee, hosted in partnership with The Caffeine Dealer and The American Legion Post 109 (15921 S Houghton Rd, Corona De Tucson, AZ 85641)

While you admire the classics and connect with fellow car enthusiasts, support a great cause! The Boy Scouts will be on-site, hosting a donation-based car wash and serving up breakfast as part of a fundraiser to support their programs and community service efforts.

Bring your car, bring your friends, and help our Scouts continue building leadership, service, and adventure in our community.

Join March 20–22 at 4EVR Ranch in Benson, AZ for a weekend packed with incredible country music featuring Rodney Atkins, Tracy Byrd, Mark Chesnutt, Little Texas, Chris Cagle, and more!

Grab your boots and your friends — it’s gonna be a great time!

Welcome to the 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. If you have a home, Airbnb, or desert living tip you’d like to highlight, secure your spot here.

From the moment you cross the charming courtyard into the light-filled great room, complete with soaring ceilings, Saltillo tile, and a cozy fireplace, this home makes a stunning first impression. The seamless flow between the granite-topped kitchen and spacious living areas leads to comfortable bedrooms and a standout primary suite featuring desert views, a private patio, and a spa-inspired bath. Versatility abounds with a fully finished studio offering its own private entrance, while the backyard serves as a personal retreat with an app-controlled PebbleTec pool, spa, and tranquil waterfall. Whether you’re utilizing the gated RV parking or the horse corral, the proximity to Saguaro National Park trails ensures that luxury and outdoor adventure are always right at your doorstep.

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

March 19

March 20

March 21

March 22

From Feast and West

Sunrise: 6:27 AM

Sunset: 6:33 PM

Air Quality: Fair (31 AQI)

Moon Phase: New Moon (0%)

Publisher, Arizona Trail Mix
Southern Arizona's Unofficial Hype Woman