Venture Shout! | Venture Out At Mesa

Your Weekly Resident Newsletter from Venture Out at Mesa
Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Well Howdy, Venture Out!
Vinny here, your sun-baked desert correspondent, boy… it’s been a busy stretch in the neighborhood. We tipped our hats to a 34-year legend, shared a few heartfelt words, and sent Paul Baptist off into retirement with well wishes and warm applause. Meanwhile, ARC rules have been updated by the City of Mesa, and if you are packing up for the season, there are a few important stops to make before you head north.

We have sewer lines tangling with tree roots, pool equipment acting its age, old directories ready for retirement, and one rising star named Amber who just earned Employee of the Year. Oh, and yes… the election results are in. So grab a drink, settle into your favorite chair, and let’s see what’s been stirring in the desert.

Election Results Are In

The votes have been counted and the results are official. Be sure to review the final outcomes and see how this year’s election decisions will shape the direction of Venture Out moving forward. Click here to view results.

New Updated City of Mesa ARC Rules

There have been important updates from the City of Mesa regarding permitting requirements for projects inside and outside your home. Please review the PDF below carefully to understand how these changes may affect future work on your property. View PDF.

Paul Baptist’s Retirement

In January, Venture Out gathered to celebrate Paul Baptist’s retirement after 34 years of dedicated service to the community.

Two residents shared heartfelt remarks, reflecting on Paul’s long tenure as our pool maintenance professional and the steady care he provided over the years.

We extend our sincere best wishes to Paul and his wife as they begin this next chapter.

Employee of the Year

At this year’s Annual Board Meeting, Amber Kolek from our ARC Department was named Employee of the Year.

Amber has been with Venture Out for just over a year and has quickly distinguished herself as a key member of the team. She was initially hired as a patrol officer, and it did not take long for her leadership and attention to detail to stand out. She was promoted to Compliance Officer, and when an opening became available in the ARC Department, she stepped in to take on both roles.

Amber is highly organized and has done an excellent job coordinating with both the City and our residents. While navigating compliance and permitting matters is not always easy, she approaches each situation with professionalism and strong people skills.

We are proud of Amber’s growth and contributions, and we look forward to working with her for many years to come.

Sewer Lines

Well now! The Oasis building had itself a little underground tussle this week.

Turns out a sewer line finally waved the white flag after being squeezed by a stubborn tree root for who knows how many years. Those plumbers worked clear until 9PM Wednesday night getting everything squared away, and we sure do appreciate the long hours.

To keep this from happening again, the tree on the west side of the Oasis is going to have to come out. I reckon I may need to tip my hat and send the Green Committee a small forgiveness note and lay off the bean burritos as well. Sometimes the desert gives, and sometimes it takes.

Take a look at the photos below so you can see what we were up against.

EPC Pool

Mercy sakes… the EPC pool equipment has been keeping us on our toes.

We’ve been working hard to stay ahead of aging equipment and keep everything running smoothly through the season. But as any seasoned desert coyote knows, mechanical parts do not check the calendar before they decide to act up. They pick their own time, their own day, and their own favorite piece to fuss with.

The good news is plans are already in motion to get ahead of these issues and reduce future disruptions. VO is looking at proactive solutions so we are better prepared moving forward.

Thank you kindly for your patience and understanding. We sure do appreciate each and every one of you.

Checking Out for the Season

Before you leave Venture Out for the summer, make sure you check out with the Admin office. This is very important for a few reasons:

You will have the opportunity to review your contact information and confirm that everything on file is accurate.
Patrol will be notified that you have departed and will conduct a property check to ensure doors and windows are locked and secured. This is a new process this year.
The Mail Room will also be notified so your mail is handled appropriately.

Taking care of this before you leave helps us protect your property and keep our records up to date.

Old Directories, Time to Retire Them
If you’ve got last season’s directory tucked in a drawer or riding around in your golf cart, go ahead and bring it by the Admin Office. We’ll make sure it’s properly disposed of.

Mail Forwarding Reminder
Approximately one week before returning to your summer residence, you must cancel your mail forwarding to Venture Out. This action must be completed directly through the United States Postal Service. We are not authorized to cancel forwarding on your behalf.

To cancel, visit:
https://www.usps.com/manage/forward.htm

If mail arrives after you depart and before your cancellation takes effect, forwarding labels are available for purchase at the Admin Office. A sheet of 20 labels is available for $2.00.

Stay tuned next week when we go over how to prepare your homes for your summer break!

Send your own Hey, Vinny! Letter

Well I’ll be… they finally gave this old desert coyote his own page.

If you’ve ever had a question about how things work around Venture Out, wondered why something is done a certain way, or just wanted a little straight-shootin’ explanation, now’s your chance.

Head over to the new Hey Vinny! page on the website and submit your question using the form provided. I’ll be reviewing what comes in, and selected questions will be answered right here in the newsletter for the whole community to see.

Keep it respectful. Keep it neighborly. And remember, if you’re wondering about it, chances are someone else is too.

Go on now… don’t make me sit by the campfire alone.

Photo courtesy of the City of Mesa, used under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0).

Pioneer Park – Mesa, Arizona

Pioneer Park has been a downtown Mesa, Arizona landmark for generations, blending rich local history with modern amenities. From its historic steam locomotive to its redesigned playgrounds and gathering spaces, the park continues to serve visitors of all ages year-round.

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