Happy Friday, Oro Valley. In today’s edition: A school closures vote, Santa at Harlow Gardens, holiday nights at Tohono Chul, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Renewable promises, tough questions: Arizona regulators approved Tucson Electric Power’s deal to serve the controversial Pima County Project Blue data center, a 4-1 vote enabling 286 megawatts by 2028 amid ratepayer and environmental concerns — read the full story.

Community open houses planned: The Southline Transmission Project will link El Paso and Tucson with a 280-mile line, upgrading 60 miles from Vail to Willcox and adding segments in Cochise County to improve reliability — see meeting times and locations.

Parents push back on process: Amphitheater School District moved closer to closing four elementary schools after a board meeting, as the superintendent cited enrollment declines and rising costs. A vote is slated for Jan. 13 — see which schools are affected.

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.

Highlights this week

• Holiday Nights sparkle at Tohono Chul
• Dash through lights with New Balance
• Explore MOCA free with live music
• Shop Tucson’s Mercado District Holiday Bazaar
• Mariachi Sol de México brings Merry-Achi Christmas
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A tiny hearing aid is taking the US by storm

🫶 We got your back

Library retools behind the scenes: Baker & Taylor’s shutdown is reshaping operations at Pima County Public Library. Staff are rebuilding ordering systems and doing shelf-ready prep in-house, causing some delays for new titles. With extra hands from temporarily closed branches, they’re managing, but ask patrons for patience. Baker & Taylor is expected to fully close in January 2026. Get details on library changes.

Paws and pages unite: Tucson kids can boost reading by cozying up with therapy dogs at 13 Pima County libraries. The program, running for at least 15 years and revived eagerly post-COVID, welcomes all ages and languages. Researchers say canine company lowers stress, helping kids tackle tough passages. Merlin, a 4-year-old lab, was a recent crowd favorite. Read the full story.

Cut, color, exhale: At Lewis + Ivey, sharp cuts and seamless color meet real-deal spa care: facials, lashes, waxing, even massage. One convenient visit covers hair and skin, skipping the cross-town zigzag, so you walk out restored… not rushed. Consider it a midweek reset that actually sticks.

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.

📆 Around town this weekend

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.

Today

🐸 A Year With Frog and Toad @ Live Theatre Workshop | Friday (12/12) at 7:00pm – Introduce the grandkids to a Tony-nominated charmer you’ll enjoy more than they will. A Year with Frog and Toad, based on Arnold Lobel’s books, skips through four seasons with catchy songs, gentle comedy, and big-hearted friendship, starring one cheerful frog and one gloriously grumpy toad.

🎤 The Lettermen @ Fox Tucson Theatre | Friday (12/12) at 7:30pm – Consider this your reminder that romance still sounds best in three-part harmony. The Lettermen bring that silky blend honed since 1961, from The Way You Look Tonight to show-stoppers like the Sugar Medley, Happy, and Over the Rainbow, perfect for a date night, not errands.

This weekend

🎅 Santa at Harlow Gardens @ Harlow Gardens | Saturday (12/13) at 10:00am – Whether your kids still believe or your dog likes wearing antlers, Santa is holding court among the poinsettias at Harlow Gardens. Snap a photo, let the little ones craft an ornament, then pretend you planned holiday magic. It is free, no signup, just show up.

🎸 P.O.P – The Paul Opocensky Project @ St. Philip’s Plaza Market | Saturday (12/13) at 10am – Start your morning with Tucson’s own Acoustic Grunge Americana vibes as Paul Opocensky brings soulful originals and crowd-favorite covers to the plaza. It’s a laid-back, sunshine-soaked set that pairs perfectly with coffee, strolling, and weekend market wandering.

✨ Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt @ Mountain View Baptist Church | Saturday (12/13) at 6pm – Take a twinkly stroll through a festive wonderland as you hunt for holiday clues among glowing displays, warm cocoa in hand. With lights, laughter, and even a sprinkle of “snow,” it’s a magical, family-friendly night that turns exploring into a Christmas adventure.

🕯️ La Fiesta de Guadalupe@ DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun | Sunday (12/14) at 10:00am – Tucson’s La Fiesta de Guadalupe brings a full day of mariachi, folklórico, and Spanish guitar on the Gallery’s 10-acre historic grounds, plus local food, arts, and crafts. The Deer Dancer is camera-free, the piñatas hit hourly, and admission is free. Bring lawn chairs, not tripods.

🐴 Donkey Day Christmas – Meet the Therapy Donkeys @ Brandi Fenton Memorial Park | Sunday (12/14) at 1:00pm – If your holiday spirit needs a reset, go pet therapy donkeys at Brandi Fenton. It’s free, family-friendly, and surprisingly zen, with selfies, Santa, and local vendors. Toss a donation if you can, it keeps The Human-Animal Connection bringing comfort to folks who need it.

🎸 Chris Baron Music @ OV Pizza & Pints | Sunday (12/14) at 6:00pm – Bring a chair to OV for a free, all-ages set from Chris Baron, part of the Oro Valley Concert Series. Easy vibes, mountain views, and zero cover. Kids wiggle, grown-ups exhale, and you remember why you still live here.

Next week

🧵 Quilts in the Gardens @ Tucson Botanical Gardens | Monday (12/15) at 7:30am – The Gardens are extra cozy this season, with more than 400 rotating quilts by local makers brightening Friends House and the Porter Hall Gallery. Stroll, pick a favorite, and buy it to support Quilt for a Cause, the Gardens, and your naps.

🌟 Holiday Nights Returns to Tohono Chul @ Tohono Chul | Gardens, Galleries, and Bistro | Monday (12/15) at 6:00pm – Tohono Chul flips the switch on Holiday Nights, with more lights, extra dates, and longer hours to keep the glow going. Think twinkling desert paths, live tunes, cocoa, cider, and sweets, plus local makers for gifts. Wear comfy shoes, pretend it’s winter.

🎷 Casey Abrams, Dave Koz & Friends, Haley Reinhart, Jonathan Butler & Kayla Waters @ Fox Tucson Theatre | Tuesday (12/16) at 7:30pm – The Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour rolls into town with a powerhouse lineup blending jazz, soul, and holiday sparkle. Expect virtuosic solos, velvety vocals, and festive arrangements that turn a weeknight into pure seasonal magic.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/12 asphalt astronaut @ Hoppy Vine – 6 pm
• 12/13 The Paul Opocensky Project @ St. Philip’s Plaza – 10 am
• 12/13 Dos Sueños @ Steam Pump Ranch – 10:30 am
• 12/14 The Paul Opocensky Project @ Three Canyon Beer and Wine Garden – 12 pm
• 12/16 Casey Abrams and more @ Fox Tucson Theatre – 7:30 pm
• 12/20 Unscrewed Family Hour @ Unscrewed Theater – 6 pm

🏠️ Price is right – Oro Valley edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: McKenna St. Onge (Gray St. Onge)

Custom southwestern contemporary on a private Oro Valley cul-de-sac with Catalina vistas and a backyard meeting Vistoso Trails Preserve. Concrete and steel construction, wraparound Cantera patio, Napoleon BBQ with granite bar, outdoor fireplace with TV, wrought iron fencing, and a Mediterranean Pebble Tec heated pool and spa with dual water features.

Inside, travertine floors, four fireplaces, and custom alder millwork deliver a desert-meets-resort feel, with rolling shutters and a panoramic great room. The kitchen stacks Sub-Zero, Dacor, and Asko with a wine bar. Owner’s suite with spa bath, en suite guest rooms, glass-door den, surround sound, and three-car garage.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →