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Happy Tuesday, Oro Valley. In today’s edition: School enrollment shifts, Second Saturday at Steam Pump Ranch, Arizona Women’s Chorus anniversary concert, and more.
Let’s get to it — Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Utility deal draws scrutiny: The Arizona Corporation Commission approved a 10-year energy supply deal for a planned Pima County data center after heated public testimony. TEP touts rate benefits while end user remains uncertain — read the full story.
Southern Arizona schools shift: State data show Tucson-area districts have lost students while Marana, Sahuarita, and Vail grew. Amphi faces right-sizing, with its superintendent planning to recommend closing four schools amid enrollment declines — read the full story.
Santa suits flood campus: Lainy’s Light Foundation hosted its first Santa 5K Dec. 6 on the UA Mall, drawing more than 250 participants and raising funds to support families facing childhood cancer — read the full story.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.
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Your holiday decor could win you $200 (no joke)
In partnership with Nest in the Desert
Nest in the Desert, Oro Valley’s beloved boutique, is running a holiday decor contest, and the prizes are legit.
Here’s the deal: snap a photo of your holiday decor featuring at least one piece from Nest in the Desert, post it on Insta or Facebook, and tag them. That’s it.
Then you will be entered to win:
1st place: $200 gift card
2nd place: $150 gift card
3rd place: $100 gift card
No limit on entries, so if you’ve got multiple rooms decked out, post them all. More posts, more chances to win.
The contest ends on December 24, so you have right up until Christmas Eve to show off your setup. Your holiday style could be exactly what someone else needs to see.
Stop by their shop to pick up something new, or browse their collection online. There’s free shipping on everything, whether it fits down the chimney or not.
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🫶 We got your back
Truck limits stir pushback: Pima County is weighing limits on heavy trucks on county dirt roads, capping them at 75 trips a day and 15 mph to curb dust. The debate stems from Santa Rita Road and the planned Copper World mine. Mining and trucking groups object. After a heated hearing, a vote was pushed to Dec. 16. Read the full story.
Toast to local journalism: Tucson Sentinel invites supporters to its Holiday Shindig at The Shanty (401 E. 9th) on Thursday, Dec. 11, 6 to 10 p.m. Mini-chimis and holiday treats are on them. Drinks are on you. Donate in December and NewsMatch doubles your gift, with local donors potentially tripling it, to fund independent reporting. Get the event and donation info.
Cozy winter pours: Chilly evenings call for malty, toasty sips, and Button Brew House pours seasonal one-offs, a smooth dunkel collab, and a roasty stout. Settle in with friends, laugh off thermostat wars, and let the glass warm your hands and mood.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy for regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify who you are and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.
Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
This week
🍬 December Design Class: Candy Cane Lane @ Casas Adobes Flower Shop | Wednesday (12/10) at 6:00pm – Holiday vibes call for playing florist at Casas Adobes Flower Shop. Build a candy-cane-worthy arrangement, all supplies, snacks, and light refreshments included. Only 12 spots, ages 16+, so claim one before your neighbor with the 14-foot inflatable does.
🍞 Spanish Heritage Sourdough Bread Workshop @ Tucson Presidio Museum | Thursday (12/11) at 10am – Ready to level up your bread game? Baker Marea Jenness walks you through sourdough using heritage White Sonora Wheat, brought here by the Spanish around 1640, plus Hayden Mills flour. You leave with a starter, a bake-at-home loaf, and a jar to babysit.
🧰 Drop-In Job & Resume Help @ Nanini Library | Thursday (12/11) at 10am – Swing by for free, judgment-free career support where you can polish your resume, get job-search guidance, or simply figure out your next step. No appointments, no pressure—just helpful humans ready to set you up for success.
🎨 Miniature Stained Glass Workshop with Rafael Acevedo @ The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures | Friday (12/12) at 9:00am – Whether you still remember shop class or just like shiny things, Rafael Acevedo will walk you through miniature stained glass on plexiglass. Pick from two designs, cut and apply lead, learn basic glazing, and leave with something that catches light, not dust.
🎨 Van Gogh ‘Starry Night’ Paint and Pints @ Button Brew House | Friday (12/12) at 6pm – Channel your inner Van Gogh while sipping local brews in Button Brew House’s beer garden. A pro instructor walks you through every swirl and star, so even total beginners leave with a brag-worthy masterpiece. Bring your friends, your date, or just your thirst for creativity—beer is sold separately, confidence included.
This weekend
🌾 Second Saturday at Steam Pump Ranch @ Historic Steam Pump Ranch | Saturday (12/13) at 9:00am – Second Saturdays at Steam Pump Ranch are peak Oro Valley: history tours, prehistoric demos, farmer’s market, Makers Market, kids crafts, and live tunes from Dos Sueños. Learn something old, buy something local, tire out the kids, then swap clothes at December’s Thrift OV booth.
🏆 2 Day Year End Tournament – Celebrating You !!!! @ Oro Valley Community Center | Saturday (12/13) at 9:00am – Clear your tiles for a two-day year-end Mah Jongg throwdown with a $1,000 top prize. $180 covers breakfast nosh, lunch, and raffles, including a gas raffle for commuters, FF 2025 bonuses, team play, and a Toys for Tots 50/25/25, because generosity pairs nicely with winning.
💎 Turquoise Trail Guided Tour @ Tucson Presidio Museum | Saturday (12/13) at 10:00am – Join a local guide on the Turquoise Trail, a downtown stroll through Spanish Colonial architecture, key landmarks, and stories since 1775, no textbooks required. Start and finish at the Presidio Museum, choose the full loop or shorter 1 to 14 version, and pre-register.
🎶 Arizona Women’s Chorus Presents its 40th Anniversary Concert: Remembrances @ Catalina Foothills High School Auditorium | Saturday (12/13) at 3:00pm – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to get goosebumps the honest way, the Arizona Women’s Chorus turns 40 with an 85-voice greatest-hits celebration. Expect classical, spirituals, toe-tapping oldies, playful novelties, even a little en español. You’ll leave smiling, humming, and proud of your rhythm.
🐐 Goat Yoga with Goats of Tucson 9am at Denny Dunn Park @ Denny Dunn Park | Sunday (12/14) at 10am – Stretch, breathe, and try not to laugh as adorable goats wander, nuzzle, and occasionally climb aboard during your yoga flow. It’s the most delightfully un-serious workout you’ll have all week, perfect for animal lovers and anyone needing a little joy with their sun salutations.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🎶 Live music & entertainment
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🏠️ This house is wild
Listed by: Lisa M Bayless (Long Realty)
Patina model in gated Alterra at Vistoso Trails, 3BD/2.5BA plus den over 2,336 sq ft, tailored for Sonoran style with Monte Carlo fans. Custom iron entry, 11×24 ceramic plank tile, and leathered granite frame a great room and gourmet kitchen with island, 5-burner cooktop, and new in-wall oven, microwave, and dishwasher. Split plan, spa-ready primary, Jack and Jill for beds 2 and 3.
Utility meets play, Drop N Go, laundry, and a tandem 3-car garage with 220V EV outlet. Three zone HVAC and Culligan filtration. Out back, patio with sunshade, pavers, hot tub, and citrus on drip.
Take a peek inside →
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