December 31, 2009 by Donna Anderson.

We decided to go to lunch at the Ritz Carlton - Dove Mountain.  The setting was spectacular–at the very top of Dove Mountain with high saguaros, and much desert vegation and multiple mountain range views, some all the way to Mexico.  Most visitors will probably use Valet Parking for the time being since the Visitor’s Parking Lot is not paved yet, nor is the walkway going up to the hotel paved yet. However, that was no big deal, and it was an easy walk to the main entrance of this new, impeccable and rustic hotel.  The only restaurant open for Lunch was the Bar Restaurant which offered a variety of small lunches. The food was tastey, but we would have preferred a more elaborate menu of a full-scale restaurant. It is likely that the few that braved the coolish December day at the large beautiful pool, had luncheon poolside service, too. Downstairs was a small coffee and gelato bar (about 6 flavors of “Frost” delicious, local gelato was offered). The gelato is brought in daily and is the best in the Southwest. The large gourmet restaurant on the bottom floor offered multiple paired wine selections and was open for breakfast and dinner. On New Year’s Eve they were already fully booked for both the first and second seatings.  The full length windows overlooked the mountains, the dramatic desert vegatation and multiple fruit trees. Go visit the Ritz Carlton and you will be mesmerized by the rustic beauty and the service that is at the highest standard one would expect at this 5 star hotel. Now that Tucson has the new Marriott Star Pass Resort in the Southwestern part of Tucson and The Westin LaPaloma and Loews- Ventana Canyon in the Foothills, added by Ritz Carlton-Dove Mountain in the Northwest, Tucson is definitely a great resort destination if you want to experience the rare beauty of the Sonoran Desert, with sparkling air, clear star-gazing skies and a climate that boasts almost 360 days of sunshine a year!

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December 30, 2009 by Donna Anderson.

7063 N Mission Hill Lane sold today for 1.1 million.  This house has a magnificient setting that is nestled right into the high Catalina Foothills with dramatic views of mulitple mountain ranges and the high, sparkling city view that makes night views spectacular.  This house is over 4,000 square feet and is situated on 4.5 acres. It was built in 1981 and has some nice updates. I love this home and am happy for the lucky buyers who rented the house first and then were put in a situation where they were given a great opportunity to purchase a dream home at a bargain price. Few short sales work, but this one did. What a great way for them to bring in the the New Year!

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December 28, 2009 by Donna Anderson.

Luxury homes in the Tucson Catalina Foothills will continue to offer bargains since there are so many for sale and so few selling. However, it will probably go down in history that the last half of 2009 brought the best bargains with some great homes selling for 1 million (or in some cases a little less than 1 million) that were drop-dead gorgeous homes that a few years ago would have sold for close to 2 million. Tucson is the place to be to live in affordable grand luxury.

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December 20, 2009 by Donna Anderson.

I just went to A.J.s Fine Foods in La Enchantada (on the corner of Skyline and Campbell) to pick up a few groceries. There one can find some great gifts, great butcher shop- type meats and fish, a suishi counter, a bakery and  take-out food section, along with groceries and spirits and wines. One can order a luncheon and sit outside and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful mountain views. A.J.s, as a gourmet grocery store, had gotten quite pricey, but I have noticed that lately the prices have definitely gone down. The produce looks better than the other local markets and you can find a lot more speciality foods and deserts that one might favor during the holidays. Take a visit and you will be happy you did.

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December 19, 2009 by Donna Anderson.

My favorite restaurants:

Vivace - St Philips Plaza (corner of River and Campbell) 4310 N Campbell 520-795-7221 (recommend reservations); closed on Sunday

Montana Ave - 6390 N Grant- sleek and contemporary-my favorite place to go for lunch (no need for reservations).

Hacienda Del Sol - 5601 N Hacienda Del Sol Rd- also a Guest Ranch–gorgeous views of the multiple desert mountain ranges and the Sonoran Desert–the best brunch in all of Pima County–reservations 520-529-3500.

Tohono Chul Park Tea Room -  7366 N Paseo Del Norte - near the corner of Oracle and Ina– a fantastic breakfast or lunch place with museum, gift shop and award winning botanical garden.

Dos Silos Mexican Cantena - Tubac in the Tubac Golf Resort - 1 hour south of Tucson off Route 19.

Elvira’s - I’ve heard people rave about this new restaurant; owners moved their business from Sonora, Mexico since business has slowed there. Go there for fine, Mexican food and visit historical Tubac with its fast multiple artist galleries and slightly North of the Border fine shops.

Places to visit:

Arizona Desert Museum - 2021 N Kinney Rd - Open every day - this zoo and botanical garden has won many honors and a trip to Tucson is not complete without a walk through this splendid place. See the bobcats, mountain lions, big horn sheep, hummingbirds, reptiles and much more surrounded by multiple saguaro cacti in the vast Sonoran Desert.

Sabino Canyon - 5900 Sabino Canyon Rd. Closed Christmas. Has a 9 stop tram that goes up the mountain and offers a 45 minute narrated tour; see the splendor of the Catalina Mountains with vast vegetation and wildlife.

San Xavier Mission Church - 9 miles south of Tucson off of Route 19 (on the way to Tubac). The “White Dove in the Desert”; it is the oldest active Roman Catholic Church in the US and is located on the Tohono O’odham Native American Community. Indian Jewelry sold in the square. Visit the Museum Shop. Gorgeous 18th century church that has been recently restored.

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December 18, 2009 by Donna Anderson.

With today’s opening of the Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain, Tucson becomes one of the top 10 American winter destinations. Affordable prices start at $259. per night for a 450 square foot, resort-view with balcony luxurious room.  Those with pets under 20 pounds are welcome with an additional charge. There is a children’s camp and water slide for their enjoyment. The Jack Nicklaus- designed golf course hosts the 2010 World Golf Championship Accenture Match Play in February. Ranch activities including horse-back riding can be easily arranged.  Multiple restaurants and a  large spa with exercise facility can be found at this fabulous resort.

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December 14, 2009 by Donna Anderson.

The Dow Industrial Average is at 10,500 and it is pushing high-end buyers to purchase gorgeous Catalina Foothills homes at bargain prices. They are afraid if they wait another year or two they will not be able to find gorgeous homes with spectacular views at a million dollars. From my view they are right!

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December 14, 2009 by Donna Anderson.

There is no doubt that as the year comes to an end we have seen many expensive homes sell in the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson. The difference between this year and last is that this year the bargains abound. Has the bottom been reached? Maybe! I have seen some million plus homes sell in the 700s! Did I ever think I would see that–NO! Some homes that would have sold for 2 million are now selling for 1.2 million. Tucson is such a beautiful and special place–rare beauty of the multiple mountain ranges surrounding it, unspoiled Sonoran Desert that is unique to Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico, clean air with nights that sparkle and are star-filled and lastly it has a climate that is hard to beat with most days sunny. Suits me perfectly!

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December 10, 2009 by Donna Anderson.

Today the H1N1 shot is available to the general population in Tucson.

I got my shot at the CVS Minute Clinc on the corner of Sunrise and N Kolb Rd. (6895 E Sunrise). Patient Info  Phone Line is 866-389-2727. There was no waiting line for getting this important shot. Cost is $15 if your insurance does not pay for CVS as the provider; some insurance plans are covered.

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December 9, 2009 by Donna Anderson.

I will be holding open my listing at 4128 N Sunset Cliff Place (list price 459K) this Sunday, December 13th from 1-4 PM. This almost 3K square foot, model-perfect home offers a heated, pebbletec pool with in-ground cleaning system, whirlpool jets and waterfalls in a serene Sonoran Desert setting with some mountain views. There is an exquisite,large first floor master suite, gourmet kitchen, upstairs recreation room and more. It is sure to please the fussiest buyers.

Gated Sabino Mountain is located minutes from Canyon Ranch and Sabino Canyon in a community of almost 300 homes with values from 300K all the way up to 7 million.

 Call me at 520-615-2598 for further information.

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