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Good morning, Tucson! In today’s edition: A retail market split, a Cool School art exhibition, Gem & Jam Festival’s big return, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
A tale of two markets: Tucson’s retail market is splitting, with outlying areas like Oro Valley commanding nearly double the rents of midtown and the core, while new construction remains scarce amid high rates and building costs — learn what’s behind the divide.
Inside a collector’s vision: At Tucson Museum of Art, Los Angeles Cool School works from the Joan and Jack Quinn Family Collection highlight a West Coast aesthetic. The exhibition runs through May 20, 2024 — read the full story.
Five-year plan supports educators: Arizona Educational Foundation has launched a $11.5 million literacy initiative to bring evidence-based writing instruction to elementary schools statewide, with training for teachers and an AI-powered course to support implementation — 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.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Fan-favorite festival levels up: Gem & Jam Festival will return to the Pima County Fairgrounds February 6 to 8, 2026 with more than 50 artists and its signature mix of music, art, performance, and gem and mineral culture. The 17th annual event adds a new partnership with Relentless Beats to broaden its reach. Get all the details.
Space fix, zero hassle: Recharge your inner space nerd and wow the kids at Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium on the University of Arizona campus. Immersive shows, hands-on exhibits, and just-right nerdy fun make an easy outing that sneaks learning into a very good time.
Burrito break, solved: Craving a no-fuss wrap with real flavor? At Seis Kitchen, hefty flour tortillas hold beans, rice, guac, and your pick of birria, adobo steak, calabacitas, or crispy avocado. It’s a tidy, satisfying answer to midweek hunger.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🧵 Kumihimo 101 In-Person Class @ Design & Adorn Beading Studio | Friday (1/9) at 2:30 PM – Learn kumihimo from scratch with Rebecca Combs at Design & Adorn on Grant, and turn tangled craft ambitions into a clean braid. Bring a disk, plain bobbins, then snag ribbon, rattail, endcaps, and glue. Finish a bracelet in class, or go long with a necklace.
💃 Dos Sueños: Fiesta Del Ritmo! @ Hotel Congress | Friday (1/9) at 7:00 PM – Ready for a proper Latin dance night without leaving town? Dos Sueños and Conjunto La Pira, with local Latin heavyweights Grupo Arizona, deliver live salsa, cumbia, and hips you forgot you had. Show up ready to move, linger with friends, and call it cardio.
🍽 Nomad Table @ TBD | Friday (1/9) at 7:30 PM – Food and friendship are popping up around Tucson with a roaming dinner table serving conversation, new friends, and whatever’s cooking. Register on the site for the WhatsApp link, watch for the location drop, then show up, eat, and swap stories. No icebreakers, no casserole pressure.
🧘 Yoga Hike @ Sarasota Trailhead | Saturday (1/10) at 8:30 AM – Whether your downward dog has seen better days or you just want fresh air, this easy-to-moderate yoga hike mixes standing poses, Christ-centered meditation, and real conversation. It is free to join, gentle on the knees, and surprisingly good for the soul.
🛍 Shop for a Cause: Habitat for Humanity $1 Sale @ Habitat for Humanity Tucson HabiStore | Saturday (1/10) at 9:00 AM – Clear a little trunk space and swing by the HabiStore for the beloved $1 sale, where clothes, shoes, and accessories cost less than your gas to get there. Arrive early, bring cash or tap-to-pay, and feel smug knowing every dollar supports Habitat’s affordable housing work.
🛍 Mercado Flea Market @ Mercado District | Sunday (1/11) at 9:00 AM – Second Sundays, October through May, are for treasure hunting in the Mercado District, with 50-plus local vendors slinging vintage, antique, and collectible finds, all free to wander. Ride the streetcar, bring small bills, and ignore anyone asking for payment on Facebook, obviously.
🎭 The Wiz @ Centennial Hall UA | Sunday (1/11) at 1:00 PM – Take a mini road trip to Centennial Hall for a Broadway-style tribute to The Wiz, a New Year kickoff honoring January babies, Capricorn, and Aquarius. Good seats are 50 bucks, which feels old-school. Expect surprises, joy, a guilt-free singalong, and you’ll be home by dinner.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Tucson report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 59°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 71%
A chance of rain showers before 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy. High near 59, with temperatures falling to around 54 in the afternoon. West southwest wind 7 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. West wind 5 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
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Tomorrow – High: 53°F – Low: 30°F – Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 53. Northwest wind 3 to 9 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 30. Northeast wind around 9 mph.
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A private lot with lush vegetation and sweeping Rincon and Catalina views sets a light, airy tone. A split-bedroom plan gives the primary suite its own wing with walk-in closet, remote-controlled drapes, and dedicated HVAC. Alder cabinetry warms the kitchen, high ceilings and large windows keep rooms bright. A central vacuum streamlines cleanup, and the office converts to a fourth bedroom with a closet.
Out back, a covered patio is stubbed for a gas BBQ. Extra storage inside and out, a dedicated laundry room, and a two-car garage round things out. Only 5 miles to Saguaro National Park East and about 20 minutes to downtown Tucson for dining and arts.
Take a peek inside →
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