He’s small and saucy, but he’s hot, hot, hot!

Señor Salsa made the Gila Valley scene two years ago, and ever since he’s been courted by magazines that are read by thousands of people looking for reasons to travel.

The latest hot-lipped suitor is the AAALiving magazine, which reaches more than 2.4 million readers. This is one of the 20 or so magazines that have developed a tendre for the little guy’s favorite stops along the Salsa Trail. The article, titled “Hot Stops,” outlines a salsa trail that starts in Pima, loops through Greenlee County and ends in Willcox. The reporter, Jackie Dishner, followed the little green chile pepper’s lead and ended the trail with a T-shirt emblazoned with the words “I survived” and a new appreciation for crackers and cream cheese (a better antidote to burning lips and tongue than water).

Who came up with the brilliant idea to take one of the area’s greatest strengths (its salsa-making skills) and turn it into a tourist attraction?

No one person from the Graham County Chamber of Commerce is taking credit for it, but we know.

A little more than two years ago, no one had even heard of the Salsa Trail. One good idea — mixed with strong organizational skills — and the SalsaFest became, after just one event, one of the Valley’s favorites.

If you haven’t attended, you have truly missed out. The event is far more than a little mouth-watering salsa on a chip. The 2008 event featured hot air balloons, booths galore, the salsa-making and salsa-eating contests.

The SalsaFest is a perfect event to portray our Southwestern tastes and traditions. It is spicy, bright and fun — just like many of the inhabitants of the Gila Valley.

Right now, with the economy in such disarray, many families in surrounding areas are looking for somewhere close and affordable. If they missed the SalsaFest, they can still travel the trail and, in the process, get to know the charming countryside and people of this community.

This concept has not only drawn attention from national publications, it has helped fill hotel rooms and booths at local restaurants. This community benefits every time a visitor drives on its roads, stops at a gas station or stays in a room.

So, thanks, Chamber of Commerce staff and board of directors for doing what it takes to put Safford and the surrounding towns on the map in a positive way.