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Hey Tucson, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: New mobile ID kiosks for unsheltered residents, The Book Stop’s comeback, and Vegan Night Market + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Tucson protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

New backing for ID access: Arizona is expanding mobile kiosks that connect to the MVD to help unsheltered residents get IDs, with Tucson area hosting one and more locations planned through the Homeless ID Project — see what’s planned next.

What drivers should know: Work on Valencia and Sunset road extensions in Tucson continues, with summer completion expected. Traffic will shift south this spring. No full closures, but side-street and driveway impacts — read the full construction update.

A new chapter begins: Saved from a planned Dec. 31 closure, Tucson’s oldest bookstore The Book Stop has a new owner, with Marty Valencia finalizing the sale Feb. 2 and planning a mid-March reopening — see what’s planned next.

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.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/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:

• Enjoy live music brunch at St. Cruz
• Buy and sell vintage cameras, lenses, watches
• Ride retired rodeo horses in Saguaro
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🏆 Gold and silver are heating up

Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold

Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.

While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.

If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.

It’s free and worth reading before the next move.

🫶 We got your back

Craving serious noodles? Tucson standby Vivace Restaurant has served Northern Italian favorites since 1993, guided by local restaurateur Daniel Scordato. When your week needs a fork-twirling lift, their silky pastas and polished, relaxed vibe make dinner feel like an upgrade without fuss.

Vintage treasure hunt alert: Tucson’s How Sweet It Was Vintage serves up sharp, curated finds along with a weekly Instagram Live “Shop Girls” drop. When your closet craves personality, expect statement dresses, easy-to-wear basics, and the occasional “wait, this exists?” gem… all selected with a keen eye.

Quick cold reset: Need a quick mood-and-muscle reboot? At Tucson Cryo & Wellness, whole-body cryo, localized treatments, red light, and compression help you rebound from workouts, desk marathons, and desert heat with a clear head and lighter legs… basically prime Tucson living fuel.

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.

📆 Free events worth checking out

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.

🎤 Jamie Barton Masterclass @ Holsclaw Hall | Friday (3/6) at 11:00 AM – Think you know your arias? UA School of Music singers get real-time wisdom from Jamie Barton, the internationally acclaimed, nose-studded mezzo you’ve read about, in a public masterclass. It’s free, presented with Arizona Opera, and perfect for flexing your cultured Tucson cred.

🐝 Pollinator Gardens @ Harlow Gardens | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Local author Lynn Hassler is in the garden sharing real-world ways to lure birds, butterflies, and other pollinators to your yard, no gimmicks required. Think native plants, smarter habits, and fewer empty feeders. It’s free, no registration, and your tomatoes will write thank-you notes.

🐝 First Saturday Pollinator Party @ Valley of the Moon | Saturday (3/7) at 10:30 AM – First Saturday is free at Valley of the Moon, and they are throwing a Pollinator Party. Help plant butterfly-friendly blooms in the Monarch Waystation, then stick around for crafts, magic folk, and wholesome spring vibes. Good for grandkids, knees, and your karma.

🥦 Vegan Night Market @ Rillito Park | Saturday (3/7) at 6:00 PM – Whether you’re vegan, veg-adjacent, or just here for the freebies, the night market at Rillito Park delivers. Eat and sip well, pose with Viguerra Foto, shop local makers, and catch Gorville Wreck and DJ Han Cholo. Free entry, free parking, dogs welcome, canned food appreciated.

🛍 Mercado Flea Market @ Mercado San Agustín | Sunday (3/8) at 10:00 AM – Second Sundays, October through May, this 8th-season Mercado flea lines Avenida del Convento with 50-plus Tucson vendors slinging legit vintage, antiques, and collectibles. It is free to roam, on the streetcar line with easy parking, and gloriously free of sketchy prepay links.

📷 Tucson Camera Show and Sale @ Jewish Community Center | Sunday (3/8) at 11:00 AM – Take a break from doomscrolling and head to the J for Tucson’s camera show and sale. Sell that dusty Nikon, extra lenses, even Grandpa’s watch, or hunt down your dream vintage rig at packed tables. Free to browse, early birds drop $15 to swoop first.

🎻 Civic Orchestra of Tucson Concert @ Crowder Hall, University of Arizona | Sunday (3/8) at 4:30 PM – Free symphony at Crowder Hall when your playlist can’t handle Firebird, Scheherazade, and Polovetsian Dances. Civic Orchestra of Tucson adds Shostakovich’s Waltz No. 2, Tchaikovsky, and a Khachaturian sprint, no tickets required. Sensory-friendly, abridged version at Canyon del Oro High School, too.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 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.

• Industry-leading home warranty protection ($150 off right now)
• 62+? See how much tax-free cash your home could unlock → free calculator
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Tucson report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 85°F – Low: 50°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 85. South southwest wind 2 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 50. South southwest wind 3 to 10 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 83°F – Low: 50°F – Precip: 0%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. South southwest wind 2 to 9 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

On an elevated corner lot on a cul-de-sac in gated Colonia de Sol, this Ron Robinette design pairs unobstructed mountain and city-light views with multilevel patios, privacy, plus sunsets. The main house has 5 ensuite bedrooms, an office and den, and a high-ceiling gourmet kitchen open to the breakfast area. A separate guest house borders the pool and spa.

Take a peek inside →