It’s Friday, Oro Valley! In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Lion head fountain revival, a Finding Nemo junior ranger film series, and a Wonderland high tea + 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.
Support local restaurants: Oro Valley Chamber reintroduced its Locals Eat Locals sticker hunt after raising $14,700 last year. Visit 25 restaurants, buy stickers, and log $20 purchases in the Oro Valley app -- learn how to join in.
Major corridor upgrade complete: ADOT finished widening I-10 between Ina and Ruthrauff, a $171 million upgrade with new bridges over the Union Pacific tracks and the Rillito River. Some lane closures will continue -- see the corridor upgrade.
Fountain comeback approved: Oro Valley Town Council approved reviving Sun City Vistoso's long-dry lion head fountain, with water harvesting, closed-loop recirculation, sensors, and shade to cut monthly use from 3,346 to 197 gallons -- see the fountain revival.
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: |
02 — From our sponsor This summer, what if you didn't have to point at the menu?Not "menu Spanish." Not pointing at the photo and hoping. Ordering dinner like a local, talking the vendor down at the market, catching the punchline before anyone explains it. Babbel gets you there in ten minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks, because every lesson is built by 200+ language experts to get you talking early, not drilling flashcards you'll forget by lunch. And it works: 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold. Then there's the part that makes it a no-brainer. You pay once. A single lifetime subscription unlocks all 14 languages Babbel teaches, for every trip you'll ever take, with no monthly fee and no renewal quietly hitting your card next year. Get Babbel for 55% off through the end of June.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Made by your neighbors: Gift Shop of Sun City is a low-key gem where everything on the shelves is crafted by Sun City Oro Valley residents, from hand-sewn pieces and greeting cards to turned-wood bowls, pottery, and jewelry. Open to the public, it’s the easy way to snag a one-of-a-kind gift without leaving your bubble.
Brows that stay put: Locals, skip the 7 a.m. mirror ballet and let Golden Hour Brows - Permanent Makeup & Lashes handle it. From nano or powder brows to lash lifts, tints, and extensions, Julia’s precision gives you that “I woke up like this” vibe all week with zero fuss.
Lace up, Oro Valley: Tired of the algorithm and the heat, give your brain a retro reset at Skate Country. This classic Tucson roller rink has lessons to get you rolling, a pro shop for fresh wheels, adult sessions, and birthday parties, so grab friends and cruise under the lights this week.
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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.
🐠 Junior Ranger Summer Film Series @ The National Parks Store | Saturday (6/13) at 10:00 AM – Junior Ranger Summer Film Series kicks off with hands-on coral reef fun for ages 5 to 12, then a screening of Finding Nemo. Bring a blanket and a favorite stuffie, enjoy free popcorn and Junior Ranger giveaways, embrace the floor-seating fort life. Free, reservation required.
🧀 Cheese Board Hands-On Cooking Class @ The Garden Kitchen - University of Arizona Pima County Coop Ext (Tucson) | Saturday (6/13) at 10:00 AM – Skip the grocery-store sampler and get hands-on, making small bites that actually flatter good cheese and proper charcuterie. You’ll learn the go-to meats and cheeses, how to pair them, and leave with host-level confidence, grown-up snacks, and zero panic before company arrives.
🤠 American Honey - Indoor Western Market @ Whiskey Roads (Tucson) | Saturday (6/13) at 11:00 AM – Escape the Sonoran sizzle and mosey through American Honey, an indoor vintage inspired western market with shopping, brunch, photo ops, and a cowboy craft. AC, good finds, and low drama, basically a Tucson weekend win without sweating through your boots.
💃 Salsa Siesta @ Invictus Dancesport (Tucson) | Saturday (6/13) at 1:00 PM – Second Saturdays mean swapping errands for a Salsa Siesta, with a friendly group lesson in salsa, bachata, cumbia, and more, then a lively social dance hour with every Latin rhythm under the sun. No partner, no experience, just light refreshments, good music, and forgiving hips.
🧜 Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr. @ Ironwood Ridge High | Saturday (6/13) at 6:30 PM – Bring the grandkids, and let local kids whisk you under the sea with The Little Mermaid Jr., with familiar songs, splashy costumes, and a lot of heart. It is community theater at its most charming, where Sebastian steals scenes, and you skip theme park prices.
📚 Mary H.K. Choi Author Event: Pool House @ Stacks Book Club | Saturday (6/13) at 6:30 PM – Trade happy hour for an evening with New York Times bestseller Mary H.K. Choi and her debut adult novel, POOL HOUSE. Tickets are $29.99 and include admission, a little something for the nightstand, no swimsuit required, and the satisfaction of choosing books over a binge.
🫖 Teatime in Wonderland: High Teat @ Catalina Pool at Omni Tucson National Resort & Spa | Sunday (6/14) at 11:00 AM – Trade your usual lunch for a whimsical high tea at The Peak, with harpist Vanessa Myers, our beloved Chantilly Tea Company’s curated pours, and scones worth dressing up for. Limited, intimate seatings, optional wine pairing, and yes, hats are encouraged, nonsense permitted. 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 Oro Valley report Weather forecastToday — High: 105°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 11%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 105. Heat index values as high as 101. North northwest wind 2 to 10 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain showers between 11pm and 5am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. North northeast wind 1 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tomorrow — High: 106°F — Low: 76°F — Precip: 6%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 106. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 5am. Mostly clear, with a low around 76. Chance of precipitation is 20%. This house is wildThis immaculate Oro Valley retreat pairs desert serenity with polished luxury, offering 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, and sweeping mountain and city-light views. A remodeled kitchen shines with quartz counters, a waterfall island, and Wolf appliances, while the primary suite delivers spa-like calm. Outside, a refreshed pool, turf, landscaping, and multiple entertaining spaces create a private resort vibe.
Take a peek inside → |
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