Best Boomer Towns - Town Blogs

New Dimensions in 21st Century Active Adult Living

 

A World of Flavor at Heritage Highlands

You're on top of the world with the view and cuisine of Heritage Highlands

The total package is what lures you back to Heritage Highlands: a regionally-acclaimed chef; presentation of distinctive dishes that revel in seasonal ingredients; and breathtaking mountain views framing the dining and banquet experience. And with renowned Tucson restaurateur Michael Veres now at the helm of its dining venues, Heritage Highlands - the prestigious active-adult community located in Dove Mountain - seems to have it all in the way of culinary and event-planning excellence.

Heritage Highlands' Food & Beverage Director-Chef Michael Veres has taken his favorite cuisines and melded them into delectable personal creations that make the restaurants of Heritage Highlands unique and popular cookery adventures. We're talking about traditional home-styled favorites, Southwest specialties, American and Italian fare, all served up in the world-class backdrop of lush high desert and panoramic mountain vistas.

Dazzling Views, Superb Cuisine
The spectacular setting is again what makes the difference in the Heritage Highlands banquet experience. There is unique elegance for the eye and the pallet that serve up a memorable experience for the most special event - from office party through to fundraisers. The exceptional outdoor venue, set on the Heritage Highlands Clubhouse back lawn, makes for inspired and beautiful wedding memories. Expansive mountain and city views complement the exquisite service and contemporary ambience. Banquet packages, which adhere to a variety of budgets and dietary preferences, may be customized.

The public as well as residents are invited to use the banquet facilities and restaurants. For dining, there is the more formal restaurant (The Highlands Bar & Grille) and the outside dining venue (The Patio on the Green). A suite of private rooms and banquet hall seats parties from 25 to 250 people.

Both restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with dinner opened to the public Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. An upscale menu specializes in grilled meats, fresh seafood, pastas and entrée salads. There are traditional, home-style comfort-food offerings, with sumptuous sandwiches, soups and delicious desserts in the ever-changing menu. Wednesday night buffets take on a distinctive flair with all-American favorites including pizzas. An extensive drink list of premium cocktails and an award-winning wine list also are featured.

Delivering an Award-Winning Experience

Tucson native Veres landed in the restaurant business after honing his affinity for cooking at American Chef Federation. After his studies Veres worked in restaurant and resort kitchens including Daniels here in Tucson. He opened Cibaria Cucina Italiana to rave reviews and came to Heritage Highlands just this past summer.

Food critics throughout the city have praised Veres' cooking and the refreshing, exciting menus he selects. New items include succulent chicken dishes and farm-fresh salads; his superb wine pairing dinners result in delectable tastings and receive rave reviews.

Looking to enjoy high cuisine with a twist of comfort food and magnificent mountain views added in? No doubt about it - Heritage Highlands is the place to savor great Tucson dining and special events.

The Highlands Bar & Grill
The Patio on the Green

4949B W. Heritage Club Blvd.

For dining information, hours or reservations:

520-579-9583

For Banquet and Catering information:

Elizabeth Rehlander
520-579-8881
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

 

Playtime in Paradise:  Golf at Heritage Highlands Is the Desert’s Best

It's hard to beat the panorama of the Sonoran Desert. So if your idea of paradise is experiencing golf in such a setting - look no further than Heritage Highlands at Dove Mountain. Three words aptly define golf at this most welcoming and prestigious active adult community in Tucson: Memorable. Exhilarating. Magic.

First-rate golf and gorgeous, unobstructed views of surrounding mountain ranges are only part of the package that makes Heritage Highlands such a popular Southwest community. But with vistas of five mountain ranges, golf is certainly an outstanding recreational amenity. Heritage Highlands is part of the greater Dove Mountain master-planned 6,200-acre community (and the home to the Accenture World Golf Match Play Championship.)

Championship Golf in an Extraordinary Location
Designed by consummate architect Arthur Hills, the Heritage Highlands course is award-winning and a must to play if you're in Tucson. Its layout sets the standard for excellence and service, yet no matter what experience you have as a golfer you will appreciate playing here.

Architect Hills sculpted the Golf Course at Heritage Highlands from the desert, carefully avoiding disruption of natural slopes and native vegetation while designing a course fit for all skill levels. This playable yet exciting test of golf plays to a par of 72 and stretches to 6904 yards from the back tee. "No two holes are alike; there are so many different tee options," says Director of Golf Brad Engel, a PGA pro who has been with Heritage Highlands since 1997. "It's a course you never tire of playing," he comments.

There are some striking holes on the diverse Heritage Highlands course, with the front nine playing through character-rich desert flats and the back nine offering a challenging change of pace that wraps around the mountains and plays near the lakes. For example, Hole 17 par 3 is picture perfect, with views spanning Tucson valley views framed by five mountain ranges from this tee. After the golf you can quench your thirst and hunger at the Highlands Bar & Grille and The Patio on the Green, where - set above the 9th green - two outdoor patios offer spectacular sunset views or wildlife watching.

Style-Fore!
If you're in need of equipment or apparel the newly renovated Golf Shop in the Clubhouse has only top-of-the line merchandise. Trained staff includes a part-time buyer as well as four teaching professionals, permitting Heritage Highlands to expand its golf instruction including new weekly golf clinics and equipment fitting.

Heritage Highlands has four active golf associations, and friendly desert living is probably best exemplified by the numerous tournaments, holiday gatherings and social mixers held.
"There are so many opportunities to feel part of a community and to play competitive golf," explains Engel.

Additional facilities at this course include: Putting green, chipping area and 20-station practice range. A member of the Audubon Society, Heritage Hills Golf Club is focused on sustainability and stewardship of the environment. "We're a natural habitat for desert wildlife, and we take that responsibility seriously," Engel indicates.

He also notes that play starts up again this month. Successful overseeding has resulted in perfect conditioning of the course. The Clubhouse is abuzz with talk about upcoming mixers and holiday tourneys. So if golfing in an incomparable Southwest vista and terrain is your idea of heaven, get out to play at Heritage Highlands. For tee times and further information about club memberships, contact Brad Engel, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). For information about the Heritage Highlands community, contact General Manager Jeff Ziegler, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Get your game on!

 

Tucson Rated Tops in New Business Week Survey

Did you see Tucson in Business Week's Best Affordable Places to Retire feature?
(See: http://tinyurl.com/nq829q).

Businessweek.com looked at Zip Codes across the country, factored in cost of living, home prices and proximity to health, recreation, culture, arts, natural environment and other amenities. After the data was evaluated, the message was clear: Tucson was Number One in this prestigious Business Week report!

The honor is no surprise to me. There are so many reasons to make Tucson your home. Our home prices are affordable. We have superior arts, culture and entertainment, golf courses, wonderful shopping and good restaurants. With more than 284 days of sunshine - in a panorama of desert surrounded by mountain ranges - you'll want to consider a home in Tucson.

There are so many great neighborhoods in this town. But for me there's one that "sits above the rest" in more ways than one. It's the Catalina Foothills: It's my home and it's among the most desirable communities in Tucson real estate.

With its higher elevation and proximity to the majestic Catalina Mountains, the Foothills is a quality community with unsurpassed mountain views, a panorama of twinkling city lights and superior amenities that earn it a special distinction. Before areas like Dove Mountain in Marana existed, Catalina Foothills was where gorgeous Southwestern homes were built within the magnificent natural desert. In this area there are variety of home styles and prices to meet your needs - no cookie cutter environment here! Instead, there are historic haciendas, sleek contemporaries, Mediterranean-style townhouses mixed with beautiful Santa Fe adobes. For the best in Tucson real estate in terms of investment and quality of life, the realtor's choice is often the Foothills.

Regarding Education: The consistently high levels of exceptional faculty, facilities and curriculum have earned the Foothills school system an "excelling" rank by the Arizona Department of Education. Shopping your interest? La Encantada is a cosmopolitan shopping center, with local artisan shops side by side with sophisticated international shopping including Tiffany, Louis Vuitton and Brooks Brothers. Everywhere there are unique galleries and boutiques offering outstanding arts and culture opportunities. Some of Tucson's finest dining experiences are available here!

From Sabino Canyon, with its wonderful tram-ride, walking trails and water oasis, to hiking opportunities with the stunning vistas of Finger Rock and Pusch Ridge - Nature is at your doorstep in the Foothills. If outdoor recreation is your preference, select from a variety of gorgeous country clubs, spas and golf courses.

Check out this New York Times article to understand why I love my home in the Foothills: http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/06/15/realestate/greathomes/15havens.html

Selfishly, I like to keep the secrets of this desert gem to myself. But I'm happy for the Tucson plaudits - Come discover the wonders of desert living for yourself!

 

Take a Hike This Summer, Please

With five mountain ranges, assortment of state and national parks, and numerous wildlife habitats and historical corridors surrounding Tucson - our city is tops in spectacular panoramas of nature. With temps rising, it's also the perfect time to head up to our mountains.

Tucson offers many options for outdoor ramblers - The city sits in a valley surrounded by the Santa Catalina, Santa Rita, Tucson, Rincon and Tortolita mountain ranges. While each range offers a variety of nature hikes or pleasant strolls, I want to single out two easy trails that offer fabulous wildlife viewing and vistas for minimal effort. If short rambles are your thing, consider two of my favorites:

Mount Bigelow is situated 8,550 feet up in the Catalina Mountains. There is a 1.5-mile trail (it's actually a dirt road) that easily brings you past beautiful pine and fir tree forest and gorgeous vistas. Your walk will lead to a group of one-time fire lookout transmission towers atop the mountain - what a view! Along the way, you'll see wonderful big views of the Catalinas. There are several small clearings where you can rest, take a picnic or just photograph. Watch for wildlife, too.

Last time I visited a saw a pretty red-tail squirrel and an assortment of unusual, colorful birds. You can reach this walk via the Catalina Highway, about four miles up, past Milepost 20. Turn right at the "Bigelow Trailhead" sign and park about a quarter-mile up this road near the observatory. Then start walking up to the right at the fork - Enjoy the 1.5 mile ramble! Learn more about the Catalina Highway from the Forest Service website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/forest/recreation/scenic_drives/catalina_hwy.shtml

Madera Canyon, just south of Tucson, offers so many trail options, but a favorite of mine is the 1.8-mile Nature Trail. There are interpretive signs along this walk as well as perfect scenery. The lower trailhead climbs gradually and will provide a wonderful mountain and valley views. To reach this from Tucson, drive south on Interstate 19, exit at Green Valley, Continental and continue to the canyon (about 13 miles off the exit). Watch for Nature Trail parking lot soon after passing the Santa Rita Lodge (another nice place to stop and watch the birds.). There are no food places in the canyon so bring a picnic lunch! Learn more at http://www.friendsofmaderacanyon.org/

If you're interested in additional hiking adventures to stay cool this summer in Tucson, watch the http://www.bestboomertowns.com website, or do research yourself about our beautiful, historic Arizona Trail: http://www.aztrail.org/. Happy hiking!

###

 

Rillito River Trail, Tucson Arizona

This popular paved doggie trail stretches for miles, offering plenty of opportunity for your best friend to stretch his or her legs and lungs. Be sure to go early in the morning or early evening on a hot day, as the paved path and the adjacent desert sand can become too hot for our paws. A popular section of the tail, I mean trail is located between La Cholla Blvd. and Campbell Avenue, along the Rillito River.

There is parking and restrooms for humans available near La Cholla Boulevard. Happy Tails! Love, Snickers

Rillito River Trail, La Cholla Boulevard, Tucson 520-877-6000

What Makes Tucson Special?

There are many reasons why my husband and I selected Tucson as the place to live, work and play in our boomer years. The decision involved the natural beauty of these mountain ranges and desert canyons. It was influenced by Tucson's frontier heritage, its nearby wide open spaces, its array of social, cultural and recreational services and its superb, healthy quality of life.

When we discovered Tucson, we uncovered an experience that was rich in big city amenities set within a small town atmosphere. We felt Tucson communities reflected the best of southwest living with varying architectural styles and neighborhood settings. And beyond good housing, Tucson had the draw of a fabulous climate where year-round we could enjoy an outdoor lifestyle - whether that meant a visit to a pine-topped national forest, or to a hike along an historic trail, or to enjoy biking, golfing or watching baseball. In Tucson we can sit outside on a café patio, enjoying a nice farm-fresh local foods dinner with friends, watching the best sunsets in the world.

OK, I admit it -- I'm a Tucson enthusiast. Living in Tucson has meant a lifestyle enhanced by magnificent natural surroundings and an opportunity to learn about our country's diverse Southwest culture, heritage and arts.

I'll be posting about the wonderful array of nature, arts, cultures, recreation, foods and communities in Tucson on the Best Boomer Towns Tucson blog. For now, here are a few resources give you a taste of Tucson:

• Opening act. Arts your scene? Here is a link to learn about the variety of exhibits, performances or special events, from Cinco de Mayo to Mariachi extravaganzas and the Gem Show: http://www.visittucson.org/visitor/events/majorevents/

• Downtown treat. I love downtown experiences. Go to this site to get details about Old Pueblo small downtown city life: http://www.downtowntucson.org/thingstodo/

• Western fun. Cowboy Americana is important to me, and here is a website to learn more about Tucson's rodeo parade: http://www.tucsonrodeoparade.com/Pages001/Mueum.htm

• Wildflowers and Dark Skies! There is spectacular nature around Tucson. Here are links to just one local national park: http://www.nps.gov/sagu/ and to the Kitt Peak Observatory: http://www.noao.edu/outreach/kpoutreach.html

• Food stuff. Here is a link to a network of local, independent restaurants: http://www.tucsonoriginals.com/

• Native Treasures. On the Tohono O'odham Reservation, on a rugged road about one hour outside of Tucson, the hearty in spirit can discover the strong roots of Tucson's Native American heritage at this museum: http://www.museumsusa.org/museums/info/1154175 You must check if the museum is open before you visit. It is worth the trek. (I'll post again about our visit to this museum.)

• Neighborhood Watch: There are so many interesting residential communities in Tucson - too many links to name them all! I'll be posting neighborhood profiles, so please continue to watch this column for specific communities. For now, here is a link to Tucson Home Magazine: http://www.tucsonhomemagazine.com/

Contact me if you have a particular interest in Tucson! I'd love http://www.bestboomertowns.com to become a network that helps you achieve your boomer dreams.

 

 

 

 

A Center of Nature, Art & Culture in Tucson’s Desert Corner

Tohono Chul Park is a 49-acre natural desert preserve in Northwest Tucson. Hidden off a busy corner, the Park is a beautiful, nearby oasis that demonstrates so many of our region's wonders. I visit it often in the spring and summer. The Park trails, covered ramadas, shops, galleries and Tea Room offer many nooks and crannies that are great for a springtime ramble or a shady summer respite.

I usually start off around 11:30 and head to the Tea Room for an early lunch. I ask for a table in the shade of the back courtyard, where I'm serenaded by an assortment of hummingbirds and other wildlife. I order lightly -- a salad and a frosty glass of prickly pear lemonade.

Refreshed, I head off the Park front gate. Armed with my water bottle, sunscreen and walking shoes, I'll take the Park map and visit a few favorite nature trails, plus the exhibit halls and shops to complete a full and enjoyable afternoon visit.

I wind my way up the Main Trail, past the Overlook Ramada and a fabulous malachite/azurite stone specimen donated by a local mine. When I reach the Exhibit House I continue through its gate to the Spanish Courtyard - gorgeously shaded by ironwood and pomegranate trees. I stay here for a spell and admire the details of the Exhibit House hacienda which once house the local Wilson family, who created this Park for the community to enjoy.

I continue on the trail, passing a garden and impressive "forest" of cholla bushes. I keep going on the trail until I reach the demonstration garden, which houses a riparian (from latin word ripa meaning shore or bank) habitat. Almost completely shaded by ash sycamore and mesquite, this garden is a beautiful celebration of native trees, plants and wildlife. The small spring contains minnos, and an enclosure nearby houses two resident desert tortoise plus some spiny lizards. I catch a glimpse of one tortoise and enjoy listening to the birds and the stream.

If I were looking for more adventure or activity in an afternoon, I could choose from many other cool options around the Park. Yet today I just head back to the Exhibit House - where I find a fantastic exhibit on insects -a wonderful artistic interpretation of creepy crawlies through sculpture, painting, photography, jewelry and fiber arts. You should check the Park's website (http://www.tohonochulpark.org) before you visit to get the current art show exhibitions.

I have time to stop at LaGaleria Museum shop on this one visit, where I browse an exceptional collection of southwest-inspired books, jewelry and pottery. On my way out I also stop by the greenhouse and the La Entrada gift shop. I love this shop for its bazaar of desert-inspired goodies, particularly its locally-authored children's books. I pick up an activity packet for a family member who is curious about the desert.

There's no doubt that Tohono Chul Park is a great local Tucson treasure that teaches us about our native plants and wildlife in a natural setting. There's a dose of art and culture, too! See you at the Park - It's a true Tucson gem! Check it out at: Tohono Chul Park is a 49-acre natural desert preserve in Northwest Tucson. Hidden off a busy corner, the Park is a beautiful, nearby oasis that demonstrates so many of our region's wonders. I visit it often in the spring and summer. The Park trails, covered ramadas, shops, galleries and Tea Room offer many nooks and crannies that are great for a springtime ramble or a shady summer respite.

I usually start off around 11:30 and head to the Tea Room for an early lunch. I ask for a table in the shade of the back courtyard, where I'm serenaded by an assortment of hummingbirds and other wildlife. I order lightly -- a salad and a frosty glass of prickly pear lemonade.

Refreshed, I head off the Park front gate. Armed with my water bottle, sunscreen and walking shoes, I'll take the Park map and visit a few favorite nature trails, plus the exhibit halls and shops to complete a full and enjoyable afternoon visit.

I wind my way up the Main Trail, past the Overlook Ramada and a fabulous malachite/azurite stone specimen donated by a local mine. When I reach the Exhibit House I continue through its gate to the Spanish Courtyard - gorgeously shaded by ironwood and pomegranate trees. I stay here for a spell and admire the details of the Exhibit House hacienda which once house the local Wilson family, who created this Park for the community to enjoy.

I continue on the trail, passing a garden and impressive "forest" of cholla bushes. I keep going on the trail until I reach the demonstration garden, which houses a riparian (from latin word ripa meaning shore or bank) habitat. Almost completely shaded by ash sycamore and mesquite, this garden is a beautiful celebration of native trees, plants and wildlife. The small spring contains minnos, and an enclosure nearby houses two resident desert tortoise plus some spiny lizards. I catch a glimpse of one tortoise and enjoy listening to the birds and the stream.

If I were looking for more adventure or activity in an afternoon, I could choose from many other cool options around the Park. Yet today I just head back to the Exhibit House - where I find a fantastic exhibit on insects -a wonderful artistic interpretation of creepy crawlies through sculpture, painting, photography, jewelry and fiber arts. You should check the Park's website http://tohonochulpark.org before you visit to get the current art show exhibitions.

I have time to stop at LaGaleria Museum shop on this one visit, where I browse an exceptional collection of southwest-inspired books, jewelry and pottery. On my way out I also stop by the greenhouse and the La Entrada gift shop. I love this shop for its bazaar of desert-inspired goodies, particularly its locally-authored children's books. I pick up an activity packet for a family member who is curious about the desert.

There's no doubt that Tohono Chul Park is a great local Tucson treasure that teaches us about our native plants and wildlife in a natural setting. There's a dose of art and culture, too! See you at the Park - It's a true Tucson gem! Check it out at: http://tohonochulpark.org

 

 

Grab the Camera: There’s Color in the Desert this Season!

Now is the time for wildflower magic here in Tucson. Winter rains have nourished the desert and set the stage for our spring wildflower bloom. Through the end of April, Southern Arizona is bursting out in brilliant blooms. So start enjoying the show!

I have a favorite road-trip I take each spring to admire the natural beauty of a greening desert. The road-trip is a bit of local roadside history and wildflower watching. I pack a picnic lunch, grab my camera and head north of Tucson onto Oracle Road, which becomes Arizona Route 77. Continuing past the town of Catalina, at Oracle Junction I connect with Arizona Highway 79 to start my mini road-trip into wildflower country.

The Pinal Pioneer Parkway (also know as Arizona Highway 79) is a two-lane road of wide open spaces and gorgeous scenery of native vegetation connecting Tucson with Phoenix. This was the chief thruway between Tucson and Phoenix prior to construction of Interstate 10. Thankfully, Highway 79 has stayed a two-lane back road, a little-traveled, picturesque stretch of about 42 miles that is a great way to spend an afternoon during wildflower season.

The Parkway is lined with expanses of wonderful wildflowers this time of year. All along it you will see colorful lupine, Mexican poppies, globe mallow, penstemons and other fields of delights. Stop often and get out and walk with your camera. Even in dry years, this stretch of road just outside Tucson always rewards with a beautiful demonstration of native wildflower blooms. In addition to the wildflowers, the Parkway is lined with native desert greenery including saguaro, mesquite and cholla.

Remember that picnic lunch? About 23.5 miles north of Oracle Junction, around milepost 116, is the memorial to the world’s greatest silent film cowboy movie star – Tom Mix – and at his memorial is where I stop to enjoy the view and the local history.

Tom Mix made over 300 films between 1910 and 1935, and was truly a Hollywood Wild West superstar. At age 60, in 1940, when Mix was speeding along Highway 79, he careened through a barricade warning of an overflowing wash, and his car slid into one the gullies.  Nearby where he died an historical marker was erected. The marker is a funky, somewhat rusted metal horse-and-cowboy memorial on a stone column, and with covered picnic tables the area offers glorious viewing of desert expanses. To me, it’s a perfect point to refresh during this mini wildflower-viewing road trip. Please note that there are no road-side services on this scenic road. If you want nearby services, you’ll need to head a few more miles north to the town of Florence.

A drive along Arizona Highway 79 this time of year is a favorite road-trip that refreshes my spirit. In terms of scenery, native blooms and America’s wild west pop culture – it will perfectly fill a weekend afternoon! Take the trip sometime and see for yourself!

Learn more about wildflower viewing, spring plant sales and other spring events from Arizona State Parks website: http://azstateparks.com/index.html

Learn more about Tom Mix from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Mix

Vive de los (Boomer) Vaqueros

The lure of the cowpoke always has been an attraction out here in the Wild West. There’s no better setting than Tucson for the western experience – with our surrounding Native American reservations, the spires jutting from canyons to our north, the majesty of the saguaro national parks to our east and west, and Madera Canyon birding just to the south.

In town, the western experience comes full circle as Tucson welcomes La Fiesta de los Vaqueros (The Celebration of the Cowboys) over the next week. I’m ready for it. The Fiesta started in 1925, and it continues to be one of the top extravaganzas of its type in our county. Ranching has been around Tucson since the Spanish brought domesticated animals into the region in the 1600s, and this week is the time to celebrate the importance of the cowboy to the local economy and our landscape.

We’ll have nine days of professional rodeo-sanctioned events – from bulling-riding and barrel-racing to junior rodeo competitions. City slickers and ranch hands alike will don their best western wear of jeans, boots, jackets and buckles as the entire town gets into the spirit. The party culminates with our colorful parade – billed as the longest non-motorized one in the world. Over 1000 horses and more than 600 cowboys will participate in this year’s Rodeo events.

I suggest you visit the Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum, located on the northeast corner of S. Sixth Ave. and Irvington Road. You’ll see great Americana – buggies and wagons on display as well as a nice collection of Old West artifacts. There’s also a typical western street with various shops, and exhibits of historical memorabilia. The Museum is open weekdays through the end of this month.

For dinner, mosey up to one of Tucson’s authentic cowboy steak houses. My favorite in the museum area is the Silver Saddle, located downtown on Old Benson Highway in the Lazy 8 Motel. It ain’t fancy but its mesquite grill and cowboys at the bar certainly are the real experience.

This week, let’s all tip our hats to Los Vaqueros. It’s our heritage – a Tucson spectacle not to be missed. And it’s a mesh of true grit, fun, culture and sport all rolled into a wonderful Tucson tradition.

Through March 1, 2009: http://www.tucsonrodeo.com/

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