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Hi Oro Valley, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Easier solar-plus-battery hookups, Shen Yun, a fine art and wine festival, and more.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Simpler path to storage: ConnectDER’s IslandDER meter collar was accepted in January by APS, TEP and SRP, easing solar plus battery hookups for Oro Valley and Tucson area homes and working with storage systems — see approved utilities and systems.
City corridor overhaul boosts connectivity: Tucson’s Downtown Links project is nearing completion after six years, adding a Sixth Ave overpass, a Sixth St underpass, and bike and pedestrian routes for Oro Valley commuters heading downtown — get all the project details.
New pathway for military founders: Pima Community College is offering STRIVE at its downtown campus for the first time, an eight-week program where up to 20 veterans build ventures with coaching and yearlong mentoring — get all the details.
Strengthening domestic battery supply chains: Announced this month, Aqua Metals and American Battery Factory propose co-locating recycling at ABF’s planned Tucson plant to keep scrap local and evaluate processing up to 10,000 metric tons annually — read the full story.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
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.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Shifts in local hazard zones: FEMA released preliminary flood maps for Pima County on January 12, covering Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita and Tucson. Updates flag revised risks near La Cholla Wash, the Santa Cruz River and Sabino Creek. The maps remain available for review and challenge to guide mitigation. See how to get involved.
What to know before you go: The Tucson Folk Festival will fill Downtown Tucson’s Jácome Plaza April 10 to 12 with free performances. Legendary folk artist Tom Rush will headline. About 150 acts will play across multiple stages, including Tow’rs, and Tucson duo Ryanhood will return for a seventh year. Get all the details.
Fresh, local comfort: Craving food that tastes like Arizona? Harvest Restaurant serves seasonally inspired, scratch-made dishes from local growers’ bounty, including grass-fed beef, lamb, and produce with personality. It’s a weeknight pick-me-up that feels easy, neighborly, and quietly impressive.
Serious gear, zero pretense: When your pans buckle and gadgets underwhelm, Arizona Restaurant Supply’s retail showroom lets you try commercial-grade equipment, with staff ready to demo and answer questions. Upgrade your setup or plot that dream kitchen, minus the runaround, in a space built for real cooks.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Take control of your credit card debt: High interest can keep you stuck paying more than you need to. A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR until 2027 and no annual fee gives you time to pay down what you owe without interest working against you. By transferring your balance, more of your payment goes toward the principal so you can actually make a dent in what you owe.
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🎨 Mosaic Bench Workshop @ Robin’s Home Studio | Friday (2/27) at 9:00 AM – Think your patio has seen it all? Spend two days designing a custom mosaic garden bench with thousands of handmade tiles by Robin Chlad, special orders welcome, and prove you can commit to grout. Bring a friend, make memories, and upgrade the backyard throne.
🌵 Earl Linwood Francis @ Oro Valley Public Library | Friday (2/27) at 3:00 PM – Skip the chores and settle in with the Oro Valley Historical Society for a deep dive into Oracle lore. Royal John Medley, a longtime local, unpacks the curious life of Earl Linwood Francis, a tale that outshines anything the algorithm recommends, no login required.
🏺 Mata Ortiz Pottery @ The National Parks Store | Saturday (2/28) at 10:00 AM – This pop-up at The National Parks Store brings master ceramicist Jorge Quintana with Mata Ortiz pottery, plus live demos if the weather behaves. Admire the craftsmanship, pick a piece that isn’t mass-produced, and maybe a Zapotec rug, too. Your shelves will thank you.
🎶 The Beatle Brothers @ Tohono Chul | Saturday (2/28) at 11:00 AM – Tohono Chul’s Performance Garden turns into a mini Abbey Road as Tucson’s Beatle Brothers deliver harmony-rich, acoustic takes on the Fab Four. No wigs, no gimmicks, just sing-along classics, desert blooms, and that smug feeling of still knowing every lyric.
🍊 Super Citrus Saturdays @ Fry’s Food Store | Saturday (2/28) at 11:00 AM – Got a backyard tree acting like a citrus overachiever? On Super Citrus Saturday, drop your extra oranges, lemons, and grapefruit at the Fry’s on La Canada, and the Community Food Bank will turn that produce into neighbors fed, fridges happy, and zero waste. Easy win.
🌵 Succulent Workshop @ Board & Brush | Saturday (2/28) at 12:30 PM – Board & Brush is turning adult arts and crafts into a proper night out with paint, planter boxes, and sangria. Customize a wooden box, tuck in a few low-drama succulents, and leave with decor your living room, or porch, will actually thank you for.
🎭 Shen Yun @ Tucson Music Hall | Saturday (2/28) at 2:00 PM – Shen Yun sweeps into Linda Ronstadt Music Hall with flying sleeves, live orchestra, and stories spun through classical Chinese dance. Think high-flying leaps, lush visuals, and zero dust storms. Dress up, park early, and call it cultural cardio.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Oro Valley report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 87°F – Low: 59°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 87. West northwest wind 2 to 9 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 59. Northeast wind 2 to 8 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 91°F – Low: 61°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 91. South southeast wind 1 to 9 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.
This house is wild
On a quiet cul-de-sac with sweeping Pusch Ridge views, this 3,497-square-foot 4-bed, 3-bath retreat spans 3.11 fenced acres and includes a 475-square-foot 1-bed, 1-bath guest house. A remodeled kitchen and primary bath shine. Flexible living offers a second primary suite. Seller-owned solar and rainwater harvesting stand out, plus a chicken coop, small-animal stable and corral, fruit trees, and motorized gates.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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