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It’s Friday, Tucson! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Gold and silver heat up, Gladys Knight, and Wizarding Out West 2026 + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor (FinanceBuzz) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.

📰 In the news

Milestone for Arizona construction: On February 24, SMART Local 359 secured a project labor agreement for Tucson’s Project Blue data center, with 100% union construction and local hiring goals amid pushback and water worries — learn what’s in the agreement.

Philanthropy advances health preparedness: The University of Arizona received $5 million from Carlyle One Health Group to expand the Ending Pandemics Academy, training health leaders using immersive education and supporting UA’s Fuel Wonder campaign — read the full story.

Ambitious habitat expansion plan: Phoenix Zoo plans a conservation safari park in Sahuarita, 20 miles south of Tucson, with potential residents including giraffes and rhinos. The first 20-acre phase would rely on fundraising — see what’s being planned.

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 they’re 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.

Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.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 all that up – learn more here.

Highlights this week:

• Ride retired rodeo horses in Saguaro
• Paint a wine glass, cuddle cats
• Walk the red carpet at Loft Cinema
• Over 62? See how to turn home equity into tax-free cash

🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?

Together with our sponsor FinanceBuzz

Auto insurance premiums have been climbing across the country… and most folks won’t notice until it’s time to renew and they’re hit with a higher bill.

The frustrating part? Loyalty rarely gets rewarded. Insurers adjust prices constantly, and new customers often qualify for better rates than long-time policyholders.

I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.

This free comparison tool lets you check rates from multiple insurers in just a few minutes. It costs nothing to look, and it could save you hundreds this year.

🫶 We got your back

Comfort food, hold the cows: Lovin’ Spoonfuls Vegan Restaurant has served 100% plant-based classics since 2005. Think burgers, “chicken” dinners, and bakery treats… all without the side of moral math. Cozy diner vibes that just happen to be vegan make it an easy lunch spot.

Leave room in the trunk: Midtown Mercantile Merchants spans two floors of vintage and antiques, with rotating booths, Southwestern finds, mid-mod furniture, and quirky pieces that make a room. It’s easy to wander for 10 minutes and stay an hour… then wonder what followed you home.

Brows that stay put: Bon Beautékeeps things unrushed and ultra-precise, offering nano brows, microblading, lip blush, and tiny freckle tattoos, so results heal beautifully. In Tucson, their mindful team makes wake-up-ready mornings feel effortless, especially if shaving a few minutes from your routine sounds dreamy this week.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

📆 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.

🌸 2026 Orchid Show and Sale @ Mesquite Valley Growers Nursery | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Nothing beats a room full of orchids perfuming the desert air. Tucson Orchid Society’s 2026 Show and Sale takes over Mesquite Valley with rare blooms, savvy growers, and plant care tips. Bring curiosity, a tote, and your just-one-more-plant resolve.

🐝 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.

🏳 2nd Annual Latino Pride Festival @ MSA Annex | Saturday (3/7) at 2:00 PM – Make room on the dance card for Tucson’s 2nd Annual Latino Pride Festival, the city’s biggest gathering of Latino LGBTQ+. Expect música, food that puts your grill to shame, and enough color to outshine sunset at A Mountain. Grab presale tickets at lpfaz.com.

🐾 Pets of Pima Parade & Friends of PACC Festival @ 4th Avenue District | Sunday (3/8) at 11:00 AM – Follow the yellow brick road to a Wizard of Paws parade where dogs, cats, reptiles, and token flying monkeys strut for PACC. Chip in $50 to walk with your crew, kids free, then hit the festival for adoptions, vendors, and easy people-watching.

✨ Wizarding Out West 2026 @ Trail Dust Town | Sunday (3/8) at 2:00 PM – Western meets wizard at this fantasy bash, with potion demos, unicorn encounters, a magic show, rides, and spells served with turkey legs and cocktails. Dust off your boots and robes, browse Alley of Vendors, snag the tote, and buy early to dodge the gate price.

🏔 Banff Mountain Film Festival on Tour @ Fox Tucson Theatre | Sunday (3/8) at 8:00 PM – Night Two of Banff brings climbs to comfy seats, with Bridgers, Black Eyes, and Old Man Lightning with a filmmaker intro, plus alpine eye candy. Get your vicarious adrenaline, zero blisters, and brownie points, since tickets benefit Arizona Trail Association and Western National Parks.

🎤 Gladys Knight @ The Rialto Theatre | Sunday (3/8) at 8:30 PM – Call the sitter and polish your vocals, Gladys Knight is bringing the Midnight Train to the Rialto. Expect goosebumps, reserved seats, and a crowd that actually sits, listens, and swoons. Tickets will vanish faster than winter in Tucson, and yes, clear bags only.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/6 Shaun of the Dead @ The Loft Cinema – 12:00 AM
• 3/6 Funky Bonz @ The Hut Tucson – 6:00 PM
• 3/6 Rhythm Jax CD Release Show @ Monterey Court Studio Galleries & Cafe – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 St Philip’s Plaza Makers Market @ St. Philip’s Plaza – 10:00 AM
• 3/7 Country Fever 2026 @ Medella Vina Ranch – 2:00 PM
• 3/8 Foodie Brunch @ The Leo Kent Hotel – 11:00 AM
• 3/8 Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help @ Invisible Theatre – 3:00 PM

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.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Tucson report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 70°F – Low: 41°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 70. West southwest wind 2 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind 3 to 9 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 76°F – Low: 49°F – Precip: 15%

A slight chance of rain showers after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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