Happy Tuesday, Oro Valley. In today’s edition: Help for struggling storefronts, Mercado District Holiday Bazaar, Arizona Women’s Chorus 40th anniversary concert, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Community debate over water and power: Marana’s Planning Commission unanimously backed rezoning for a 600-acre data center on Luckett Road, citing air-cooling and new I-10 access. The Town Council will consider the plans in January 2026 — read the full story.

Southern Arizona business standouts: Pima County’s Small Business Commission has announced the 2025 Small Business Award winners, honoring innovation, service, workplaces, and community impact, including Bake a Difference Cookie Shop and Assure Healthcare Group — meet the 2025 awardees.

Help for struggling storefronts: With tourism down and closures mounting downtown and Fourth Avenue, Visit Tucson and Tucson Small Business Center spotlight resources as the Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair helps bolster traffic — see how you can help.

Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since January. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.

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.

Highlights this week

• Join Warhammer Secret Santa gift exchange
• Shop local at Mercado Holiday Bazaar
• Arizona Women’s Chorus celebrates 40 years
• Kids decorate holiday cookies with sprinkles
• Send kids in PJs to Timeless Play
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is 30% off

🫶 We got your back

Winter festivities await: SnOV is back at the Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center this Thursday, Dec. 18, from 5 to 8 pm, with games, crafts, holiday characters, actual snow, and a Santa sighting. Plan to park at Town Hall and walk over, with staff and police helping along the route. ADA parking available onsite. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. See parking and event details.

Art bridges health and community: SaludArte’s new exhibit at the Tucson Museum of Art shares Southern Arizonans’ stories of substance use, harm reduction, and recovery. Created by artist Elizabeth Burden under the 2025 theme “We Recover Together,” the partnership between the Arts Foundation and the Pima County Health Department invites dialogue and healing. See it in the Community Room through May 2026. Learn more about the exhibit.

Arthouse night, anyone?: Skip the megaplex rut and catch something curated at The Loft Cinema, Tucson’s member-supported nonprofit with three screens, occasional open-air shows, indie and foreign picks, cult classics, plus the rare 35mm or 70mm print. Think midweek brain snack… or a weekend plan you’ll actually keep.

Hear me out: My mom’s been asking people to repeat themselves 5,281 times too many for years. She always avoided hearing aids like the plague — they’re clunky, obvious, expensive, not really worth it. I always thought “she’s not wrong” until I saw these new invisible hearing aids going viral. In the same boat? Now’s a great time to check them out before unused health benefits expire on the 31st.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now + you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.

📆 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

👞 Tap Dance Class @ Northminster Presbyterian Church | Tuesday (12/16) at 12:30pm – Shuffle, ball change, and tap your way into a fun afternoon on the FH stage. Whether you’re brushing up on old skills or trying tap for the first time, this lively class keeps things upbeat and welcoming. Lace up those shoes and let the rhythm take over.

❄️ Winter Wonderland Party @ The Watermark | Wednesday (12/17) at 4:30pm – Break out your coziest sweater and swing by for cookies, cocoa, and a sing-along with Jessiah, plus a cameo from the big guy in red. Bring a friend or the grandkids, soak up the neighborly cheer, and pretend your diet starts in January.

🎨 December Design Class: Holiday Charm @ Casas Adobes Flower Shop | Wednesday (12/17) at 6:00pm – Build a candlelit holiday centerpiece at Casas Adobes Flower Shop, complete with dried citrus, metallic sparkle, and step-by-step guidance. Snacks are free, creativity encouraged, and only 12 spots, because nothing says festive like leaving with decor that makes it look like you planned ahead.

🛍️ Mercado District Holiday Bazaar @ Mercado San Agustin | Friday (12/19) at 10:00am – Skip the mall stampede and wander the Mercado District instead, where local artisans, handmade gifts, live music, and real food await across Mercado San Agustin, MSA Annex, and Avenida del Convento. Bring a tote, comfortable shoes, and the confidence to gift something not from Amazon.

🙏 Arise Prayer and Praise @ Northminster Presbyterian Church | Friday (12/19) at 4:00pm – Close out your week with an uplifting blend of prayer, worship, and community connection. This come-as-you-are gathering is a space to recharge your spirit, reflect, and find encouragement alongside others. A peaceful reset right before the weekend begins.

This weekend

🤠 The Bandit’s Western Market – Howdy New Year @ Whiskey Roads Tucson | Saturday (12/20) at 11:00am – Take a break from the holiday chaos and swing by Whiskey Roads on Ina for a Western market that actually feels like Tucson. Vendor awards brunch with bottomless mimosas, photo ops, permanent jewelry and piercings, and a corral of real small businesses, reservations recommended.

🎇 Laser Movie Magic + Holiday Magic @ Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium | Saturday (12/20) at 6:30pm – Trade doomscrolling for a seat under the dome, where lasers choreograph Disney, Star Wars, and holiday favorites into one very Tucson double feature. Then wander Flandrau’s exhibits like curious kids, but with better shoes, special lighting, and a firm respect for personal space.

🍫 Cacao Ceremony And Sound Healing @ Healing Touch & Energy Flow.LLC | Saturday (12/20) at 6:44pm – Trade happy hour for a cacao ceremony with sound healing, a mellow way to open the heart without the small talk. Expect deep breaths, bowls, and bliss in Oro Valley, bring a comfy pillow, skip the perfume, and reserve your spot, snacks included.

🧩 Jigsaw Dating @ Sky Bar Tucson | Saturday (12/20) at 7:00pm – Mix puzzles with mingling at this quirky twist on speed dating. You’ll pair up, piece together, and see whether the chemistry clicks as easily as the jigsaw does. Fun, low-pressure, and perfect for anyone ready to meet someone new without the usual awkward small talk.

🎼 Arizona Women’s Chorus presents its 40th Anniversary Concert – Remembrances @ St Mark Catholic Church | Sunday (12/21) at 3:00pm – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to hear 85 voices move as one, this is it. Arizona Women’s Chorus celebrates 40 years with a joy-filled mix of classical, spirituals, toe-tapping oldies, playful novelties, and a few en español. Expect goosebumps, nostalgia, and humming home.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/16 Heist @ Temple of Music and Art – 2 pm
• 12/16 Casey Abrams and more @ Fox Tucson Theatre – 7:30 pm
• 12/17 Winter Wonderland Party @ The Watermark – 4:30 pm
• 12/19 Brook Sample @ Dominick’s Real Italian – 5 pm
• 12/19 Johnny Stachela and more @ Fox Tucson Theatre – 8 pm
• 12/20 A Year With Frog and Toad @ Live Theatre Workshop – 2 pm
• 12/20 Asphalt Astronaut @ Hotel McCoy – 7 pm
• 12/20 Miguel Melgoza @ Westward Look – 7 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Eduardo Escobido (The Agency)

On Stone Canyon’s premier perch, this modern retreat serves sunset theater, glittering city lights, and a bird’s-eye look at the 15th fairway. Walls of glass frame the Tortolitas, architecture and nature in a tight pas de deux. Multiple terraces, lounge zones, and a slick indoor to outdoor flow keep the party moving under that big desert sky.

Private resort energy defines the vibe, with world-class golf, fitness, dining, and trailheads moments away. The lot is the headliner, the views are the encore, and evenings end with a sky-on-fire curtain call.

Take a peek inside →