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Hey Oro Valley, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Campus transition scrutiny, shish kebab house fight, and Latin dance night + lots of fun things to do for free.
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.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Campus transition under scrutiny: ASDB's new Oro Valley campus opens as the state found it violated federal special education law. Student placements must be re-reviewed by August 28, with a special monitor overseeing compliance -- read the full story.
Roadwork wrap-up in Tucson: After months of construction, Tucson’s Grant Road reopened to traffic, adding lanes plus upgraded signals, crosswalks, sidewalks, and stormwater drainage, promising smoother commutes for Oro Valley drivers heading into Tucson -- read the full story.
Local staple under pressure: After 33 years, Shish Kebab House of Tucson is fighting to stay open as Reina Alas faces higher produce, halal chicken and delivery costs, while refusing to abandon the community -- read the full story.
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.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
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: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf 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.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Steak night, upgraded: Wild Garlic Grill is where Paris-trained Chef Steven Schultz marries prime steaks with pristine seafood, layering classic technique with Southwest and California flair. Think seared Wagyu, artfully plated fish, and a boutique wine list that punches above its weight, all in a warm, family-owned setting that turns an average weeknight into a small celebration.
Find your golf crew: The Views Golf Club keeps Oro Valley swinging with welcoming 9-hole and 18-hole leagues for women and men, blending regular play, lighthearted competition, and social or charitable events. Need a nudge this week? Try the breezy 9, as they say, half the time, twice the fun, or commit to the full 18.
Your weekly exhale: Melt the desert week away at Oasis Massage Spa, where seasoned therapists tailor Swedish, deep tissue or sports work to your cranky spots, with optional hot stones, cupping or CBD oil. Bonus points for foot reflexology and glow-boosting facials… your neck and sanity will thank you.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
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 →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
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.
🎬 PBS Kids Movie Night! @ Quincie Douglas Library (Tucson) | Tuesday (8/4) at 4:00 PM – Kids climbing the walls? Bring them to the free PBS Kids movie night for favorite shows on the big screen, hands-on crafts, and snacks that won’t sugar-shock Grandma. It pops up monthly, is gloriously low-stress, and buys you peaceful, nostalgia-laced family time.
🐶 Read to a Dog @ Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr. Library (Tucson) | Wednesday (8/5) at 3:30 PM – Let the kids read to the best listener in town, a very patient dog. No red pen, just head tilts, tail wags, and zero judgment. Great for shy readers, and frankly, the dog pays better attention than most adults.
💃 Latin Dance Night @ Sonora Moonshine (Tucson) | Wednesday (8/5) at 8:30 PM – Think your salsa basic still remembers the 1-2-3? Free Latin Dance Night hits Sonora Moonshine Company every first and third Wednesday, with a quick salsa and bachata lesson, then social dancing to mostly bachata and salsa, plus bite and drink specials, downtown vibes included.
📚 Visit the Bookmobile @ Voyager RV Resort & Hotel (Tucson) | Thursday (8/6) at 9:45 AM – The county's classic Bookmobile pulls into Voyager RV Resort, a library on wheels making monthly rounds around Pima County since the '60s. With 2,500-plus reads and 17,000 borrows a year, the best algorithm is still a librarian, a bus, and a map.
📚 Summer at Fort Lowell: Storytime & Kids Activity Hour @ Fort Lowell Museum (Tucson) | Thursday (8/6) at 10:00 AM – First and third Thursdays at 9 am, Fort Lowell Museum becomes the coolest parent hack in town. Free all summer, storytime and hands-on crafts keep ages 4 to 7 happily occupied, and if you wrangle three stamped visits, you score a free family membership.
🚗 Tucson Cars & Coffee @ Tucson Cars & Coffee | Saturday (8/8) at 7:00 AM – Tucson's longest-running Cars & Coffee is rolling in with free admission, strong caffeine, and a parking lot full of desert-detailed beauties, from sleepers to show queens. Expect tire kickers, tall tales, and shade-hunting pros, proudly corralled by Obsessions Car Club.
🎸 Corey Spector @ Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa (Tucson) | Saturday (8/29) at 7:00 PM – Westward Look’s patio is serving Catalina sunset views with Corey Spector covering the pop and rock you already know all the words to. No cover, first come tables, and those Lookout drink specials are dangerously chatty. Low-key night, high-quality vibes.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Oro Valley report Weather forecastToday — High: 107°F — Low: 80°F — Precip: 38%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 107. Heat index values as high as 110. West northwest wind 2 to 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 80. South wind 2 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tomorrow — High: 104°F — Low: 79°F — Precip: 23%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 104. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 79. Chance of precipitation is 20%. This house is wildThis 3-bed, 3-bath Southwestern custom sits on .83 acres in Oro Valley Country Club, fronting the 1st fairway with Catalina Mountain views and sunrise showstoppers. Inside, vaulted ceilings, a floor-to-ceiling river rock fireplace, and French doors set the tone. Outside, a stone fireplace, built-in barbecue, and elevated spa turn the patio into a desert resort.
Take a peek inside → |
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