Gardening in the desert can feel overwhelming because it’s so different from gardening in other regions. But you don’t have to settle for a landscape of just cactus and rocks. In this class, you’ll discover how easy and rewarding it can be to create a vibrant, thriving garden in our arid climate. Learn practical strategies for avoiding and fixing the most common mistakes—such as improper pruning, over-fertilizing, poor plant choices, and incorrect watering. You’ll also gain simple, proven techniques to help your plants flourish despite the heat. Whether you’re a beginner or simply looking to make your existing garden more successful, this class will give you the confidence and know-how to transform your outdoor space into a colorful, low-maintenance desert oasis.

Noelle Johnson, the AZ Plant Lady, will be presenting this seminar for ASURA! Noelle is an author, horticulturist, instructor, and landscape consultant. She has A B.S. degree from ASU in Plant Biology/Urban Horticulture. Noelle is the author of the books The Water-Smart Garden, and her award-winning book, The Dry Climate Garden. Her work has appeared on CNN, NPR, PBS, and Martha Stewart Living. Popularly known as “AZ Plant Lady,” Noelle is a columnist for Phoenix Home & Garden magazine and works alongside the Water Use It Wisely campaign. Her passion and goal are to teach and inspire desert-dwellers with the tools to grow and maintain beautiful gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate.

This seminar is scheduled for:

• Date - February 12, 2026 (Thursday)
• Time - 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Place - Zoom Webinar

Registration

Registration is now open and will close on Friday, February 6, 2026 . 

You may register for this event by either:

1.     Registering online or
2.     Calling the ASURA Office at 480-965-7668

Once you have registered, you will receive the Zoom link and any handouts that will be used prior to the seminar.

Best regards,
Karen Moses
ASURA President and Seminar Committee Chair

Araxi Hovhannessian, who is a member of the ASU Retirees Association, is generously offering her time and expertise to lead this seminar about Bonsai for our members.

Introduction to Bonsai will cover:

• What is bonsai?
• Bonsai plants that grow well in Arizona
• Challenges with extreme heat
• Watering techniques for desert climates
• Soil recommendations
• Basic bonsai care and tools
• See bonsai trees growing in the soil and in pots
• Information about additional bonsai learning experiences

If you already have a bonsai tree, feel free to bring it to show the rest of the participants your work.

Araxi Hovhannessian began her bonsai journey after moving to Arizona in 1997. She joined the Scottsdale Bonsai Society (SBS) in 1999 and remained an active member, continually seeking opportunities to learn and grow. In 2010, she stepped into the role of President of SBS, serving the club for several years while teaching and supporting members in a variety of capacities.

In 2012, Araxi applied to the California Bonsai Federation and became the first recipient of the Henry Haro Scholarship, awarded with the expectation that she would pursue formal training with a bonsai master. She began her intensive study with Boon Manakitivipart in November 2013. Over the course of nine three‑day sessions—combining classroom instruction, hands‑on practice, and evening study and discussion—she deepened her technical and artistic skills. Following this training, she invited Boon to Arizona for private workshops to further refine her personal collection.

Please register to reserve your spot!

This seminar is scheduled for:

• Date - March 4, 2026 (Wednesday)
• Time - 9:00 am - 11:00 am
• Place - Mesa, AZ near the old Fiesta Mall between Alma School Rd & Baseline (Exact location will be included in your registration confirmation email)
• The seminar is limited to 20 participants due to limited space at the location where it is being held.

Registration

Registration is now open and will close on Friday, February 27, 2026.

You may register for this event by either:

1.     Registering online or
2.     Calling the ASURA Office at 480-965-7668

Best regards,
Karen Moses
ASURA President and Seminar Committee Chair

Did you know mindfulness can help you maintain your center, manage stress, strengthen focus, calm the mind and more? This seminar is designed to enhance your understanding of the benefits of mindfulness and to share simple steps to start or expand your mindfulness practice.

Our speaker, Teri Pipe, Ph.D., RN serves as the Richard E. Sinaiko Professor in Health Care Leadership at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing and core faculty in the UW-Madison Center for Healthy Minds. Dr. Pipe is Dean Emerita of the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, where she served as Dean from 2011-2018 and as University- wide Chief Well-Being Officer from 2017-2021, and tenured Professor from 2001-2023. She was the Founding Director of ASU's Center for Mindfulness, Compassion and Resilience. Prior to ASU, Dr. Pipe served as Mayo Clinic Arizona's Director of Nursing Research and Innovation. Dr. Pipe was selected as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Leader and is a Distinguished Fellow in the National Academies of Practice.

https://centerhealthyminds.org/

This seminar is scheduled for:

• Date - March 12, 2026 (Thursday)
• Time - 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Place - Zoom Webinar

Registration

Registration is now open and will close on Friday, March 6, 2026 . 

You may register for this event by either:

1.     Registering online or
2.     Calling the ASURA Office at 480-965-7668

Once you have registered, you will receive the Zoom link and any handouts that will be used prior to the seminar.

Best regards,
Karen Moses
ASURA President and Seminar Committee Chair

Spring Luncheon at Friendship Village

Location:  Skirm Auditorium, Friendship Village,
2645 E Southern Ave, Tempe, AZ 85282

Date:  Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Time:  11:00 AM

Cost: $20 per person

Please join us for our ASU Retirees Spring Luncheon at Friendship Village on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.  The luncheon will be held in the Skirm Auditorium at Friendship Village, Tempe (2645 East Southern Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85282).

We will gather for the luncheon at 11:00 and eat at 11:40. We will feast on a delicious buffet including dessert. We will feast on a delicious Italian buffet including penne alfredo, cheese tortellini with meat sauce, chicken piccata, seasonal fresh steamed vegetables, Caesar salad and garlic bread.  The lunch also includes Tiramisu for dessert!
There will be options such as Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Dairy Free.

Because this is an ASU Retirees Association event, attendees who are residents of Friendship Village will not be able to use/apply their Friendship Village "Dining Dollars."

Our luncheon will also include comments from our Scholarship Winner and our new event:  ASURA Awards!  Please let us know if you would be interested in a tour following the luncheon and we will try to arrange that.

Registration deadline is Sat March 7th. The payment has to be made by check and is due into the ASURA Office before Mon March 16. Allow a week for delivery of mailed checks.

Please register:
1. Online Registration
2. Call ASURA office at 480-965-7668 (Tu, We, Thu 10am-1pm)

We look forward to seeing you there!