Hey Green Valley, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s edition: Juneteenth celebrations, emergency response drones, and a world cup watch party + fun things to do for free & local fundraisers worth checking out this week.
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01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Tucson’s new soccer spot: Tucson’s new Biergarten hosted a Monday watch party for Germany’s 10 a.m. World Cup win over Curacao, where fans cheered every goal. Next up, Germany plays Ivory Coast -- read the full story.
Three days of celebration: Tucson will celebrate Juneteenth with a festival at Kino Sports Complex on Saturday, plus a Juneteenth Art Expo with an African-centered bazaar Friday, and an art and fashion showcase Thursday -- see the full lineup.
New safety tech trial: Tucson will pilot Skydio drones to speed emergency responses, tracking arrival times, community feedback, and privacy compliance. Data stays on a police-controlled private cloud under the city's Safe City Initiative -- see what the pilot includes.
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.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill:If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.*
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*. Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Give your couch a night off: CPAC Community Performance & Art Center keeps the calendar loaded with concerts, theater, dance, gallery exhibits, and adult classes. When you need midweek inspiration or a weekend plan, peek at what’s on and soak up some hometown culture without leaving Green Valley.
Lunch plans, solved: Mountain View Cafe and Bakery is your local go-to for fresh-baked pastries, hearty soups, and sandwiches that feel homemade in the best way. Nab a seat inside or on the patio, then do the only right thing and finish with dessert.
Trade chores for chalk: Rock Solid Climbing + Fitness is a bouldering-forward gym with an auto-belay corner, training boards, and a legit fitness studio with yoga and strength classes, so you can sweat smarter, meet good people, and still make it home to Green Valley with forearms humming.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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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 →
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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 Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
👶 It's Babytime! Storytime for Babies @ Sahuarita Library | Tuesday (6/16) at 2:30 PM – Nap schedule permitting, bring the tiniest VIPs to Babytime at the library for short, engaging stories, bouncy songs, and lots of wiggles. It’s a sweet, confidence-building hang for babies, and a sanity-saving breather for the grownups who love them.
♻️ Can I Recycle That? @ Richard Elías-Mission Library (Tucson) | Wednesday (6/17) at 5:00 PM – Finally solving the eternal question of 'does this go in the blue bin,' this free, 90-minute workshop breaks down how to recycle right, why it matters, and where the weird stuff goes. Less wishcycling, more correct sorting, and a few clever waste diversion tricks.
🐶 The Frenchies @ Sahuarita Library | Friday (6/19) at 10:00 AM – Think you remember your high school French, or at least how to order a croissant? The Sahuarita library is hosting a free intermediate class that polishes your vocab and grammar, dips into French history, and lets you flex that accent without alarming the neighbors.
💃 47th Annual Recital: What a Wonderful World of Dance @ Green Valley West Social Center | Saturday (7/11) at 11:00 AM – Forty-seven years in, this hometown recital still packs the West Center Auditorium with ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and proud aunties. Free to attend, bring a non-perishable, and enjoy a morning where tiny shoes, big leaps, and community spirit steal the show.
🌅 Sahuarita Sunset Market Fall Series @ Sahuarita Lake Park | Friday (8/14) at 6:00 PM – Second Fridays mean sunset tunes by the lake, local bites, and a marketplace full of homegrown finds at Sahuarita Lake Park. It is free, family friendly, and you can BYOB, just not the hard stuff. Think porch hangout, with better music and more snacks. ✨ Upcoming local fundraisers🎗 8th Annual "A Night to Remember" @ Casino Del Sol (Tucson) | Friday (6/19) at 6:00 PM – Break out the good shoes and your checkbook for the eighth annual A Night to Remember, a scholarship gala that actually lives up to its name. Expect dressed-up neighbors, clinking glasses, a lively auction, and real support for local students, not just photo ops.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — Announcement In case you missed itWe opened The Insiders’ Club last week and hundreds of folks have already joined (seriously… can’t thank you enough!!). For a few bucks a month, The Club gives you every newsletter ad-free on your schedule, plus members-only updates to help you stay connected to your community. The Weekly Events Roundup is my favorite feature. You get one email a week with all the best events and nothing else cluttering it up. Want only that? Skip the daily emails and turn the rest off. Join the club → |
07 — The Green Valley report Weather forecastToday — High: 102°F — Low: 69°F — Precip: 17%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 102. Heat index values as high as 100. West wind 3 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 69. West southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tomorrow — High: 100°F — Low: 68°F — Precip: 34%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 100. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 11pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 30%. This house is wildThis beautifully updated Southwestern home sits on a rare oversized corner lot with mountain views from the sofa, patio, and primary suite. Dark wood ceilings, bright modern finishes, new kitchen appliances, and a tiled walk-in shower bring fresh style. Outside, a covered patio, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, and oversized RV garage with three-car parking steal the show.
Take a peek inside → |
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