Happy Friday, Tucson. In today’s edition: Gully Bakehouse’s sweet rise, Oro Valley holiday festival and tree lighting, Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

From kitchen to craze: After leaving accounting in 2024, Seemakurti launched Gully Bakehouse, fusing Indian flavors into classics like saffron tres leches and mango lassi cookies, drawing long lines at October’s Asian Night Market — see how to order.

Cross-border conservation stakes rise: University of Arizona researchers confirmed a jaguar named ‘Cinco’ in Southern Arizona after November detections, the fifth in 15 years and a reminder habitat corridors are threatened by border barriers — learn how you can help.

Parents mobilize after proposal: Amphitheater district in Pima County may close four elementary schools, including Copper Creek, amid birthrate declines and voucher growth. A recommendation is due Dec. 9, with board vote Jan. 13 — get all the details.

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

• Experience Tohono Chul’s enchanting Holiday Nights
• Support bike access at bicycle art auction
• Snap photos with Santa, craft ornaments
• Meet therapy donkeys at Donkey Day Christmas
• Celebrate with TSO, UA Dance, Calexico
• See why December’s the best time to try new hearing aids
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%

🫶 We got your back

From backyard oven to storefront: Hidden Hearth, a new micro-bakery at the MSA Annex in the Mercado District, is now open. Two-time James Beard semifinalist Phaneuf turns out stone-milled loaves and ultra-flaky croissants from a walk-up window, Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In-house milling and punk-rock pizza nights are planned. See hours and ordering info.

A legendary name’s journey: Kintoki Sushi House & Bar is now open at 2960 N. First Ave., taking over El Berraco’s “submarine” exterior. Tucson brothers Erick and Jose Quintero lead the spot with chef Rosalio Felix, serving Japanese fare with Latin touches, like jalapeño-forward rolls and a Mexican-style miso soup. Read the full story.

Easy weeknight win: Skip the scene and sip crisp, world-inspired, locally crafted beers at Pueblo Vida Brewing Company. Housed in a restored 1918 space, it’s dog-friendly, bring-your-own-food friendly, and stocked with a lineup that makes “one more” sound perfectly reasonable.

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 that targets regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify your identity 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

🎤 Joe Baker @ Bar Crisol/Exo | Friday (12/5) at 7:00pm – Whether you still call it downtown or insist on Barrio Viejo, Bar Crisol is hosting Joe Baker, serving up 1920s jazz, western swing, country, and blues. Yes, he’s from Phoenix, but the tunes are pure old-school charm, and the cocktails are on point.

🎻 From The Top @ Unscrewed Theater | Friday (12/5) at 7:30pm – Skip the streaming rut and catch Unscrewed Theater’s musical improv crew turning your suggestions into a brand-new show, songs and all. It’s family friendly, fast on its feet, and the kind of chaos that leaves you humming, laughing, and weirdly invested.

This weekend

🎄 Oro Valley Holiday Festival of the Arts & Tree Lighting Celebration @ Oro Valley Marketplace | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – The Marketplace turns into a festive bazaar of local makers, live music, and eats you swore you’d skip. Come “just to browse,” stay for the tree lighting and Santa sightings, leave with gifts, good vibes, and maybe a little glitter. Classic Oro Valley.

🛷 Sleigh Bell Social & Market @ Casas Adobes Plaza | Saturday (12/6) at 11:00am – Casas Adobes Plaza turns into a winter wonderland, because Tucson takes festive seriously. Expect live music, Santa pics, Teaspoon hot chocolate, AR Workshop crafts, Loop Jean gift wrap, and 30+ local vendors, then grab a photo at the balloon wall if you’re feeling festive.

🔔 Holiday Handbell Concert @ St. Mark’s UMC | Saturday (12/6) at 7:00pm – Northwest Tucson is getting its jingle on with Sonoran Bells, a holiday handbell concert that trades mall chaos for actual peace and goodwill. Expect crystalline chords, cozy cheer, and five chances to feel festive, then enjoy supporting local performers.

🎄 Cookies with Santa @ Ace Hardware | Sunday (12/7) at 10:00am – Santa’s making a pit stop at Ace Hardware, and he’s bringing cookies—well, the undecorated kind. Kids (and enthusiastic adults) can dive into frosting fun, snap a pic with the big guy, and score 20% off Christmas décor and lights. Bring your camera, bring your sweet tooth, and bring on the holiday cheer.

🎨 Paint & Sip @ Barnfire Mesquite Grill | Sunday (12/7) at 2:00pm – If your fridge art peaked in preschool, come to Barnfire Mesquite Grill for paint and sip as Donnette guides a Silent Night on a 12 x 16 canvas. Supplies included, drinks cost extra, seats are scarce, so bring a friend, no talent required.

🤠 Neal McCoy @ The Maverick | Sunday (12/7) at 8:30pm – Neal McCoy is rolling in with that 90s country charm, Texas grin, and a set list you still know by heart. Expect boot-stompin’ singalongs, Charley Pride-tested chops, and that Beer Goggles anthem, which pairs nicely with friends, a cold one, and zero pretense.

Next week

✨ Holiday Nights Returns to Tohono Chul @ Tohono Chul | Monday (12/8) at 6:00pm – Tohono Chul flips the switch on full holiday enchantment with thousands of twinkling lights, live performances, warm drinks, and sweet treats. Wander the glowing garden paths, shop the Merry Market, and keep an eye out for Santa making his rounds. With expanded hours and more lights than ever, it’s Tucson’s most magical way to stroll into the season.

🎷 Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox @ Rialto Theatre | Tuesday (12/9) at 8:00pm – Think pop hits sound better with a little brass, a croon, and some swing? Postmodern Jukebox turns them into vintage gold at the Rialto, with reserved seats, no opener. Pack light for the clear bag routine, settle in for the good stuff.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/5 Barnaby and the Butcher @ The Jackrabbit Lounge – 7:30 pm
• 12/6 Mamma Coal and more @ Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium – 11:00 am
• 12/6 Holidaze Bash IV @ Union Public House – 1 pm
• 12/7 Austin B. Sweeney @ Catalina Brewing – 2 pm
• 12/7 Miss Olivia and the Interlopers @ Saint Charles Tavern – 2 pm
• 12/11 Drift Sound Bath Experience @ Hacienda Del Sol – 5 pm
• 12/12 Nevertel @ Club XS – 7 pm
• 12/13 The Paul Opocensky Project @ St. Philip’s Plaza – 10 am
• 12/14 Dmitri Matheny @ La Rosa – 3 pm