La Posada at Green Valley

07/29/2026

"Wheee! It's cold!"

Do you recall the sheer joy of darting through sprinklers on a warm summer day?

Last Thursday, as a delightful highlight of their summer, the children at Los Niños del Valle preschool experienced this classic summer fun with a twist.

Firefighters from the Santa Rita Fire District made a special visit to the preschool, located on the La Posada campus in the heart of the Green Valley-Sahuarita community. As part of their summer outreach education program, they set up fire hoses to create giant "sprinklers," offering the kids a thrilling and refreshing escape from the summer heat.

Special thank you to the Santa Rita Fire District fire crews for visiting our students! They love your visits and are always ready to learn from you.

07/27/2026

How Far Would You Go to See Every Bird You Could in a Single Year?

For lifelong birder Nick Komar, the answer was simple: as far as the birds would take him.

Last Monday, La Posada at Green Valley residents had the opportunity to hear that remarkable story firsthand when Nick visited campus to share the incredible adventure behind his record-setting “Big Year.”

In 2023, at the age of 57, Nick embarked on what birders call a “Big Year,” an ambitious quest to identify as many bird species as possible in a single calendar year.

What happened next was extraordinary.

Nick shattered the previous North American Big Year record by identifying 889 bird species across the United States, Hawaii, Alaska, and U.S. territories.

Along the way, he added 25 new species during visits to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

For most people, that would be a once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment.

For Nick, it became something even more meaningful.

A birder since he was just 7 years old and a retired CDC biologist, Nick planned each journey around migration routes, carefully studying where birds would appear next.

Here in Southern Arizona, one of the world’s premier birding destinations, he identified more than 50 species, proving once again why our region attracts bird enthusiasts from around the globe.

His story becomes even more inspiring knowing he accomplished this after being diagnosed with Young-onset Parkinson’s disease. Rather than allowing the condition to define him, Nick adapted. First, he used image-stabilizing binoculars. Also, Nick often photographed birds using a fast shutter speed, capturing images he could later study to confirm difficult identifications.

For La Posada residents, Nick’s presentation wasn’t simply about breaking a record. It was a reminder that retirement can be a time to pursue lifelong dreams, embrace new adventures, and continue doing the things that bring purpose and joy. His journey demonstrated that passion, preparation, and perseverance can carry us farther than we ever imagined.

As the American Birding Association says, a Big Year is more than a competition. It’s a celebration of birding, curiosity, perseverance, and the joy of discovering the natural world.

Nick Komar reminds us that some of life’s greatest adventures don’t begin with winning…They begin with looking up.

Nick Komar captured all the bird photos shared in this post.

A Question for our birding friends: If you had one year to search for birds anywhere in North America, what species would be at the very top of your life list?

07/24/2026

Hop on, we'll take you there!

Every day, more than 100 residents ride La Posada's electric tram to get where they need to go -from fitness classes and club meetings to volunteer shifts, learning events, and social gatherings.

While some residents enjoy walking or biking across campus, many choose the tram for its convenience, comfort, and accessibility - especially during hot weather, when dealing with mobility challenges, or after hanging up the car keys for good.

Our tram runs between neighborhoods, dining venues, activity centers, and amenities like the Pavilion fitness center, making it easy to connect with everything La Posada offers.

Requesting a ride is simple:

• Call from your home phone
• Or use the campus intercoms marked "Tram Service"

The campus tram operates seven days a week.

This service is exclusively for La Posada residents and is available only within our campus.

07/22/2026

Why do retirement communities host pool parties during the summer?

On a warm July afternoon, residents at La Posada at Green Valley gathered poolside in the La Vista neighborhood to celebrate one of Arizona’s favorite summertime traditions, a pool party.

With refreshing drinks in hand, delicious appetizers to enjoy, and the island-inspired sounds of steel drum music floating through the air, neighbors quickly became conversation partners, laughter echoed across the water, and another collection of summer memories was made.

There is something timeless about water in the desert.

For generations, people have gathered wherever water could be found. It offers relief from the summer heat, certainly, but it also creates something less visible. It invites people to linger. Conversations become longer. New friendships begin. Familiar faces become lifelong friends.

In the Sonoran Desert, water has always represented life, renewal, and community. Around a sparkling pool, surrounded by towering palms and brilliant Arizona skies, it becomes the perfect backdrop for storytelling, shared laughter, and simply enjoying one another’s company.

At La Posada, these moments remind us that retirement is not just about where you live. It’s about who you share life’s moments with. Pool parties offer more than refreshments and entertainment. They create opportunities for residents to connect, strengthen friendships, and enjoy the vibrant lifestyle that makes community living so rewarding.

Dawn, thank you for sharing your photos with our digital peeps.

We’d love to know: What is your favorite summer memory spent by the water?

07/20/2026

“I love doing good for people” - Dawn Martz, Director of Philanthropy at the La Posada Foundation

26 years of changing lives and creating new opportunities for our team, a look at the La Posada Foundation’s Employee Scholarship Program from a recent story by KGVY RADIO - Familiar Favorites.

07/16/2026

“What made you say, ‘I wish I had moved here sooner’?”

Residents, family members, we’d love to hear your story.

What made you say, “I wish I had moved here sooner?”

Or…

If you’re a family member, what made you think, “I wish Mom or Dad had made the move sooner?”

Share your story in the comments. Your experience may help someone else who is wondering whether it’s the right time to begin their next chapter.

07/15/2026

What problems do you want to solve during your retirement?

La Posada resident Jill Bachman has lived at La Posada since 2020.

It was fast heading toward 100 degrees outside The Good Shepherd United Church of Christ in Sahuarita last week, good timing for a conversation about rising temperatures and their effect

07/14/2026

Sometimes the greatest gift we can give someone isn’t something we buy. It’s simply our time.

Just before Independence Day, La Posada Adult Day Service welcomed friends and family members for a patriotic celebration filled with creativity, laughter, and meaningful moments.

Together, participants and their loved ones created red, white, and blue star crafts and designed Fourth of July greeting cards. While the finished artwork was beautiful, the real masterpiece was the time spent together.

Creative activities like these do so much more than produce colorful keepsakes. They encourage conversation, awaken cherished memories, reduce feelings of isolation, and strengthen family connections. Every shared smile, every helping hand, and every story told while crafting reminds us that life’s richest moments are often the simplest.

Research has shown that engaging in creative activities can support emotional well-being, stimulate the mind, and ignite meaningful opportunities for self-expression.

For family members, it’s a chance to slow down, reconnect with loved ones, and create memories that will be treasured long after the holiday decorations are packed away.

This Independence Day, we celebrated more than our nation’s history. We’re celebrating the generations who continue to inspire us every day.

07/13/2026

Where somebody remembers your favorite drink, your favorite story, your favorite game, and your name.

That’s the magic of community.

Every visit to the Posada Pub is another chance to turn neighbors into lifelong friends.

07/04/2026