Around the Cracker Barrel

KGVY is celebrating 25 years of bringing neighbors, local businesses and community resources together! On this week’s Around the Cracker Barrel, Andy Taylor welcomes KGVY owners Chet and Deanna Walker for a preview of the 25th Annual Senior Boomer Info Fair, happening Tuesday, November 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley.

Featuring 57 local exhibitors, the fair offers information on healthcare, Medicare, financial services, senior living, home services and community organizations. Chet and Deanna highlight free health screenings, available vaccinations and an American Red Cross blood drive running from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Those interested in vaccinations should bring their insurance cards.

There’s plenty of fun on the menu, too, with free food from local restaurants, a 25th anniversary cake, $2 bills for the first 100 attendees and restaurant gift certificate giveaways throughout the day. Guy Atchley will also broadcast live from the event.

Admission and parking are free, and all ages are welcome. Attendees are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food donation for the Community Food Bank. Join us for a conversation celebrating KGVY’s community connections and a quarter century of this Green Valley tradition!

What does assisted living look like today, and how do you know when it might be time to explore the options? On this week’s Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes Steve Kolnacki, Vice President of Health Services for La Posada Communities, and Cindy Barbee, Director of Marketing, for a conversation about assisted living at La Posada Green Valley.

Steve explains how personalized services can help residents maintain their independence while having support available when they need it. He discusses apartment options, dining, memory care and higher-level assisted living, along with common misconceptions about eligibility, costs and long-term care insurance. He also shares why it can be helpful for individuals and families to explore their options before a greater need arises.

Cindy introduces a community project led by Eagle Scout candidate Lucas Hoffman of Troop 365. A collection box at Posada Java offers a place to drop off worn American flags for a future retirement ceremony.

For information about assisted living at La Posada, call 520-648-8949 or visit La Posada Green Valley.

Wildfires are a growing concern across Southern Arizona, but what makes our region especially vulnerable, and what can homeowners do to reduce the risks?

This week on Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes Kyle Trujillo, Wildfire Mitigation Coordinator with the University of Arizona's Pima County Cooperative Extension, for an informative conversation about wildfire prevention, environmental challenges, and community preparedness.

Kyle explains why Pima County ranks among the nation's higher-risk counties for wildfires and how expanding development near natural desert areas, prolonged drought conditions, and invasive plants such as buffelgrass, red brome, and stinknet contribute to the danger. The discussion also explores the lasting environmental damage caused by wildfires, including flooding and erosion, and ongoing restoration efforts on Mount Graham.

Guy and Kyle discuss the importance of community involvement, volunteer efforts to remove invasive vegetation, and practical steps homeowners can take to protect their properties. From clearing debris out of gutters to understanding the dangers of windblown embers and preparing evacuation plans, Kyle shares valuable information that could make a difference when wildfire threatens a neighborhood.

Listeners will also learn about the Pima County Wildfire Mitigation Program and resources available to help homeowners and communities become better prepared.

Find out more of the Wildfire Mitigation Plan from Pima County 

This week on Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes Chuck Parsons, President of the Green Valley Gardeners, for a conversation about gardening, community beautification, conservation, and two exciting upcoming events at Desert Meadows Park.

Chuck shares details about the popular Art in the Park, happening Saturday, October 17th, from 9 AM to 2 PM. The annual event brings together local artists, live music from the Silver City Jam Band, food trucks, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy one of Green Valley's favorite outdoor gathering places.

The conversation also introduces a brand-new event, Nurturing Your Habitat Starts in Your Yard, scheduled for Friday, November 6th, from 10 AM to 2 PM. This educational gathering will feature organizations dedicated to native plants, pollinators, wildlife conservation, and protecting the important migratory pathways of the Santa Cruz Valley.

Beyond these events, Chuck discusses the remarkable work of the Green Valley Gardeners, an organization with more than 600 members. From maintaining beautiful demonstration gardens and improving community landscapes to growing approximately 3,500 pounds of fresh produce annually for the local food bank, volunteers continue to make a lasting difference throughout the area.

Discover how gardening, conservation, and community involvement come together to make Green Valley a greener and more beautiful place to live.

Find Out more at https://www.greenvalleygardeners.com

This week on Around the Cracker Barrel, Guy Atchley welcomes Pat Edwards, Director of Education for the Southern Arizona Genealogical Society, for a fascinating look at discovering the stories hidden in our family histories.

Pat explains why genealogy can feel like both a detective story and a treasure hunt, as researchers use census records, newspapers, church records, immigration documents and even DNA to track down ancestors and understand how they lived. Guy and Pat share stories from their own family research, including relatives who crossed the country, survived difficult times and, in some cases, left behind mysteries that still haven't been solved.

The conversation also explores how artificial intelligence is becoming another useful tool for genealogists. Pat shares ways AI can help organize research, compare documents and suggest new avenues to explore—while stressing the importance of checking the information it provides.

Plus, learn about the Southern Arizona Genealogical Society’s meetings, special interest groups, educational opportunities and Genealogy Library located at La Posada in Green Valley.

This week on Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes Cindy Barbee, Director of Marketing for La Posada at Green Valley, and Holly Doyle, Manager of Posada Java, for a conversation about the people, activities and sense of community that make La Posada a special part of Green Valley.

Holly shares how Posada Java has become much more than a coffee shop. Open to residents and the public, it’s a gathering place for friends, community groups, cyclists and visitors, while also hosting live music, local artwork and special events. The conversation looks ahead to upcoming activities including Coffee with a Cop, live music performances, appearances by the Continental School Jazz Band, and a December holiday market and concert series.

Cindy also talks about life at La Posada, where more than 700 residents enjoy an active lifestyle, security, amenities and the beauty of the nearby Santa Rita Mountains. She discusses the community’s nonprofit structure, strong resident involvement and plans for a new Creative Arts and Cultural Center, which is being supported through a resident-funded capital campaign.

The discussion also highlights the Vensel Treasure Shop, volunteer opportunities, local artists and the services La Posada provides to make moving into the community easier—including a settling-in team that can help residents right-size their belongings, unpack and even have their bed ready for their first night in their new home.

It’s a warm look at La Posada at Green Valley—not simply as a place to live, but as a community filled with activities, friendships, music and opportunities to stay connected.

This week on Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes Betsy Labiner, Program Director, and Sarah Hall, Program Coordinator, from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Arizona (OLLI UA). Designed for adults 50 and older, OLLI UA combines lifelong learning with opportunities to meet new people, explore new interests and stay connected with the community.

Betsy and Sarah explain how OLLI UA has grown from a peer-to-peer learning group more than 35 years ago into a program offering hundreds of classes covering an incredible variety of subjects. Fall offerings range from astronomy, history and current events to healthy aging, Tai Chi, plant-based cooking, artificial intelligence, immigration, climate change, communication, home energy efficiency and even how to brew the perfect cup of coffee. Members can explore subjects simply because they're curious, with classes included as part of their membership.

The conversation also highlights one of OLLI's biggest benefits: community. Members have opportunities to build friendships, volunteer, teach, participate in field trips and remain involved even when they're away from Green Valley through online classes. Betsy and Sarah share how those connections can give people structure, purpose and a renewed enthusiasm for learning during retirement.

Listeners also get details about the upcoming Discover OLLI event on September 23 at 10:30 a.m. at the Community Performing Arts Center in Green Valley. The free event offers a chance to learn more about membership, meet OLLI staff, volunteers and members, and discover the many ways to become involved. Advance RSVPs are requested through olli.arizona.edu.

This week on Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes members of the Optimist Club of Green Valley-Sahuarita and the Sahuarita Educational Enrichment Foundation (SEEF) to talk about the organizations’ shared commitment to supporting local students and strengthening education in the community.

Guests Ken and Sue Woodward of the Optimist Club join SEEF Executive Director Shelley Lazardi and Board Secretary Judy White to discuss the many ways their organizations give back—from scholarships and teacher mini-grants to classroom projects, music programs and specialized educational support. The Optimist Club alone awards three $2,000 scholarships annually while supporting a variety of youth programs throughout Green Valley and Sahuarita.

A centerpiece of their partnership is the 38th Annual Optimist-SEEF Golf Tournament, coming Saturday, October 24 at Haven Golf Course. The four-person scramble features an 8 a.m. shotgun start, prizes, raffles, breakfast and lunch, with proceeds helping both organizations continue their work for local youth.

The conversation also highlights SEEF programs that help fill needs beyond the school district's regular budget, including classroom mini-grants, musical instruments, teacher professional development, Community Share and an important dyslexia intervention initiative. Guests share moving examples of students whose lives have changed when educators were given the resources and training needed to recognize and address their individual learning needs.

The program also remembers longtime educator, former Sahuarita mayor and community volunteer Charles Oldham, a charter member of the Optimist Club and founding board member of SEEF whose dedication to young people left a lasting mark on the community.

It’s a conversation about education, volunteerism, partnership and what can happen when a community comes together to invest in its young people.

This week on Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes Monica Gonzalez, Director of the Resource Center for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, for an important conversation about fighting hunger and helping neighbors throughout Green Valley and Southern Arizona.

Monica shares how the Green Valley Food Bank serves thousands of local residents, with approximately 60% of those served age 60 and older. She explains how rising costs and changes to SNAP benefits are putting additional pressure on families and seniors, making donations, volunteers and community support increasingly important.

Listeners also get a behind-the-scenes look at how the Food Bank operates, the types of food and resources available to those in need, and the vital role played by more than 120 active volunteers in Green Valley.

The conversation also highlights the upcoming Hunger Walk, happening Saturday, September 12 at 8 a.m. at Historic Canoa Ranch. The family- and pet-friendly event brings the community together for a walk around the lake, activities, entertainment and food — all while supporting programs that provide nutritious food and resources to neighbors facing hunger.

Monica also discusses the Food Bank's work beyond food distribution, including school nutrition programs, mobile distributions, health screenings, WIC partnerships and assistance connecting families with SNAP and other community resources.

It’s a conversation about neighbors helping neighbors and the difference one person, one donation and one volunteer can make.

This week on Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley sits down at Posada Java with Tim Carmichael, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for La Posada Communities, and Cindy Barbee, Director of Marketing, for a look at what’s happening today—and what’s ahead—at La Posada Green Valley.

Tim discusses his return to La Posada and some of the new financial incentives designed to make the community more accessible to prospective residents. Those efforts are already having an impact, with La Posada’s approximately 500 independent-living residences nearing full occupancy and growing interest in several styles of homes.

The conversation explores what makes La Posada distinctive, from its Park Center, Pavilion and Garden Homes to the peaceful, park-like Green Valley campus with miles of walking paths. Tim and Cindy also discuss plans for La Posada’s Pusch Ridge community in Oro Valley, where future homes will incorporate some of the successful design ideas and comfortable feel found at the Green Valley campus.

Listeners also hear how La Posada’s nonprofit structure allows money to be reinvested into the community, including renovations, environmental and water-conservation projects and a planned state-of-the-art creative arts facility. Just as important, many of those improvements are driven by ideas and feedback directly from residents.

It’s a conversation about more than senior living—it’s about creating a community that continues to evolve around the people who call it home, while offering new possibilities for those considering La Posada in the future.