It’s Friday, Casa Grande! In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Track expansion at APEX Motor Club, valley fever update, and summer dog walking + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.
Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old) -- see what it covers.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
New circuit takes shape: Sunland Asphalt completed a 2.43-mile circuit at Maricopa’s APEX Motor Club, adding Track 2 to complement the original Track 1 and delivering specialized curbing, high-performance surfaces, and major earthwork -- see the track expansion.
Disease spreading beyond deserts: Valley fever season peaks this month, with June through July the highest risk. CDC data show cases have doubled statewide and Phoenix area infections rose 42 percent from last year -- see the valley fever update.
Plenty of ways to celebrate: Where Fourth of July fireworks will light up the Valley, from a 25-minute Phoenix Raceway show to the Fabulous Phoenix 4th at Steele Indian School Park and other Valley spots -- see the full lineup.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*.
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan -- see how it works.* Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Make something this week: Casita Workshop "a place to create" lines up friendly, hands-on classes with local artists, covering fused glass, watercolor, ceramics, jewelry, even resin. It’s the low-pressure, high-fun way to shake off screen time, meet neighbors, and come home with something you actually want to keep.
Weeknight sushi fix: Sho-Ga Japanese Restaurant is that unassuming strip-mall spot where rolls, tempura, and teriyaki actually hit the spot, not just the craving. Friendly vibe, generous portions, and plenty of cooked options mean the sushi-lover and the sushi-skeptic can both call it a win this week.
Brows that behave: Skip the morning pencil and let Unicorn Brows shape your face with soft ombré brows or a tidy lamination, plus lash lifts if your mascara needs an off day. Local, licensed, and detail obsessed right here in Casa Grande, it’s an easy win to book this week and wake up looking put together.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
What if a workout left your joints looser, not sorer? Most exercise trades a little pain now for results later, but it doesn't have to. Chair yoga keeps you seated the whole time, so your joints loosen and your strength grows without the excessive impact. A quick quiz shapes it into a personalized plan that meets your body where it is and adjusts as you loosen up. *Find your starting point →
Google your own name and you'll probably find your home address: It's sitting on a people-search site right now, next to your age, your relatives, and your phone number, free for anyone to look up. Incogni gets it taken down. It contacts 420+ data brokers on your behalf, uses privacy laws to legally demand deletion, and keeps resending requests so your information doesn't creep back online. No hours of opt-out forms, it runs quietly in the background. *Remove my data →
The card that pays you to pay down debt: Most balance-transfer cards skip the rewards. Most rewards cards skip the long 0% intro APR. This one has both — 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), plus 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and up to 6% in a category you pick. No annual fee, and there's a $200 bonus after $1,000 in spending in the first 90 days. *Worth a look →
Premiums are up roughly 46% since 2021: Home insurance has outpaced inflation for years, and renewals rarely move in your favor. Rather than take the new number on faith, FinanceBuzz lets you match your home with top-rated insurers and compare quotes side by side — free, in about two minutes. Even if you decide to stay put, you'll know you checked. *See your options →
Two sprays before bed, no more snoring? It really is that simple. No mouthpiece to wrestle with, no CPAP mask, no nose strips that peel off at 2am. This doctor-developed throat spray has been keeping sleepers quiet for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *See how it works → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town this weekendOur favorite events this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🐕 Summer Dog Walking @ Pinal County Animal Care & Control | Friday (6/12) at 6:00 AM – Up with the birds? Join the Friday 6 a.m. walks at Pinal County Animal Care & Control, giving shelter pups exercise and love before Casa Grande turns into an oven. Expect wagging escorts, easy miles, water, sunscreen, and maybe post-walk coffee, because we’re civilized.
📝 Sip and Journal @ Copper Sky (Maricopa) | Friday (6/12) at 5:00 PM – This mellow meetup pairs your favorite glass of something with creative journaling, perfect for unwinding without small talk. Finally use those nice pens, that notebook you keep saving, and a few thoughts you forgot you had. Cheaper than therapy, quieter than a bar, more satisfying.
🏃 Mala Pace Club Saturday Social Run @ Casa Grande Neon Sign Park | Saturday (6/13) at 7:00 AM – Feel like moving without pretending you’re training for Boston? The first Mala Pace Club meetup starts at Neon Sign Park for a stroll, jog, or shuffle through downtown, then lands at Deadlift Coffee Shop for free coffee bribes, and a sticker passport with actual rewards.
⛺ C.A.M.P. in Coolidge @ Coolidge Church of Christ | Saturday (6/13) at 8:00 AM – Craving produce without the farmers market elbowing? At the Church of Christ parking lot, this volunteer-run pop-up welcomes everyone, no paperwork, just $15 for rescued fruits and veggies. Shop the line or preorder a box, and they will even load your trunk.
⚖ C.A.M.P. @ Maricopa/Stanfield Justice Court | Saturday (6/13) at 9:00 AM – Skip fancy grocery sticker shock and swing by Maricopa Stanfield Justice Court for rescued produce, no income or residency hoops. Second Saturday, donate $15 to fill a box or go PrePacks2Go, volunteers will pop it in your trunk. Good food, less waste, easy win.
🐶 Doxie Day @ Raceway Bar and Grill (Maricopa) | Saturday (6/13) at 6:00 PM – Calling all weenie-dog people, our favorite dog-friendly spot is hosting Doxie Day, so bring your dachshund, their pint-sized pals, and the humans who spoil them. It is where hot dogs meet hot dogs, with sausage sammies, the regular menu, pup water stations, and local vendors. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — Announcement Your homeowners insurance has a blind spotIt covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old). *See what it covers → |
07 — The Casa Grande report Weather forecastToday — High: 104°F — Low: 76°F — Precip: 4%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 104. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 105°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 8%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 105. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 5am. Mostly clear, with a low around 77. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. This house is wildThis 2024 Casa Grande home brings 3 bedrooms, a den, and 3 full bathrooms to nearly 16,000 square feet of cul-de-sac privacy. A massive walk-in pantry, automatic blinds, solar panels, and a 3-car garage with a 50-amp EV charger add modern ease, while mountain views, citrus trees, turf, and an in-ground trampoline steal the show.
Take a peek inside → |
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