Your Resident Newsletter from Venture Out at Mesa

Published on October 19, 2026

Questions From Our Community

Hey Vinny!

You’ve got questions, and Vinny is here to help.

Question:

I'm curious why I haven't seen information about potentially obtaining a variance for some properties that are not in compliance. We have been relieved that we obtained a variance and are sure others would be also relieved. If only they knew it was possible.

Answer:

Well, partner, I hate to rain on your parade, but Venture Out doesn't grant variances on individual lots. The only variance we're aware of comes through SRP.

If you've got a question or concern about your lot, mosey on over to Amber in the ARC Department. She's the one to talk to about getting things squared away!

Question:

Since there are so many more "rounders" in the park, have you given any thought to keeping more of the bathhouses open during the Summer? They would not have to be cleaned every day, and I noticed that the air was left on all year.

Answer:

Well, howdy, neighbor! I hear ya! But before we go opening up every bathhouse in the neighborhood, we've gotta keep an eye on those dollars and cents. They don't grow on cactus, ya know!

The decision to close some bathhouses during the summer was made to help keep costs down for all Venture Out homeowners. Bathhouses 1, 4, and 8 stayed open, while the others took a little summer vacation.

And about that air conditioning? Nope, we weren't cooling empty bathhouses all summer! If you heard those units humming, it was just our maintenance crew firing things up while doing their annual work.

Question:

There are large olive trees in the park, particularly around the Center. A couple of years ago, we had a windstorm in the spring. I came out of the auxiliary ballroom, and across from the bike rack there were LOTS of olives on the ground. They were ripe and had fallen because of the wind.

I went home, got a bucket, and went back and picked a lot up with the help of the birds. They were large, and I took them home and brined them. They were really delicious Kalamata olives.

The next year the gardeners deeply pruned them, so I haven’t seen any. Could we please help these olive trees produce again? I think others would enjoy them also.

Answer:

Well, howdy! You're right, we did give those olive trees a good haircut, but that ain't why the olives went missing!

You see, every spring we bring in a landscaping crew to spray those trees so they don't flower or produce fruit. Why? Because those little olives were making a mighty big mess! Sticky sidewalks, stained concrete, and folks tracking olive mush everywhere they went. And don't even get me started on the pollen! That stuff has allergy sufferers sneezing like a cowboy in a dust storm!

In fact, olive pollen has been such a nuisance that Phoenix and several other Arizona communities have restricted planting fruiting, high-pollen olive trees since the 1980s. Fruitless and low-pollen varieties are still allowed.

Now, I gotta tip my hat to ya for making Kalamata olives from our trees! That's some mighty fine resourcefulness! Unfortunately, we can't bring back the olive harvest. Keeping our walkways safe, our sidewalks clean, and that pesky pollen under control has to come first.

Thanks for the great question and the story, partner! Who knew we had an olive wrangler right here at Venture Out?

Question:

Where do residents OPT OUT of DirecTV due to lack of Internet, no computers, no Smart tv's, or already have service from another vendor like Hughes, Dish, Apple TV, or another streaming service?

Answer:

Well, I know this might not be the answer you’re hoping for, but that's how this particular wagon rolls.

The Board didn't just wake up one morning, toss Dish off the saddle, and holler, "Let's ride with DirecTV!" No siree! There were plenty of conversations with residents and a whole lot of weighing the pros and cons before that decision was made.

Now, here's where the rubber meets the dusty road. Just like our previous Dish service, DirecTV is part of a bulk agreement that covers every home in Venture Out. The cost is included in your HOA dues, which means there's no individual opt-out option, even if you've already got another TV provider.