It’s Friday, Tucson! In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Historic Sabino Dam stairs reopening, Ziggy Marley’s Brightside Tour, and a celestial embroidery workshop + 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.
Tracking transportation spending: The RTA formed a 15-member oversight committee to monitor voter-approved transportation funds across Pima County. Members will meet quarterly to review project progress and finances in the 20-year plan -- review the oversight panel.
Summer dining challenge returns: Oro Valley's Locals Eat Locals sticker hunt is back this summer, sending diners to 25 restaurants for limited-edition stickers, with $20 or more purchases logged in the Oro Valley app -- see how to join in.
A historic landmark restored: After more than 20 years, the historic Sabino Dam stairs in Sabino Canyon reopened. The native-stone design honors the site’s history, funded by private donors and the Coronado National Forest -- see the restored stairs.
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.
Tucson’s living canvas: Give yourself a tiny art field trip with the ever-changing Rialto Theatre mural series by Joe Pagac - Murals and Fine Art, which kicked off in 2009 and now rotates 12-by-12-foot squares every few weeks. It’s pure Tucson energy, and you might even catch a panel swap happening.
Time for a skin reset: Precision Cosmetics and Medspa customizes everything from microblading and lip blushing to MOXI and BBL laser sessions, fillers, and CoolSculpting Elite. If your face needs a summer pep talk, their team keeps it friendly, pro, and refreshingly non-pushy... like asking a trusted neighbor who happens to wield a laser.
Lace up, Tucson: Want a low-key way to sweat and actually have fun? Tucson Roller Hockey is a local non-profit keeping wheels turning in Southern Arizona with leagues for all ages, pick-up sessions, and skills clinics, plus a friendly volunteer vibe... perfect if you miss team sports or just need an excuse to chase something besides deadlines.
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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.
🦖 Dino Discovery @ Miller-Golf Links Library | Friday (6/12) at 2:30 PM – Think of it as a prehistoric crash course from Tucson Children’s Museum, complete with who roamed the desert, and what was on their menu. Bring the grandkids, your inner paleontologist, and a tolerance for roaring, and arrive 30 minutes early for tickets.
💰 Bank On Arizona Family Financial Fitness Fest @ Tucson Small Business Center | Saturday (6/13) at 9:00 AM – This family-friendly festival is basically a money gym, where you can build financial muscles together, meet trusted partners, and explore safe, affordable banking options. Fewer burpees, more budgeting confidence, and yes, you can finally retire the coffee-can savings plan.
🎨 Craft Day "Fathers Day Mug Painting" @ UnitedHealthcare Medicare Store | Saturday (6/13) at 10:00 AM – Father’s Day calls for mug painting at the UnitedHealthcare Medicare Store, with mugs, paints, and zero pressure provided. Make the mug he’ll actually use, or one in his honor. Swap stories, embrace Dad energy, and remember, no art degree, just heart.
✨ Celestial Familiar Embroidery Workshop @ Libra & Thorn | Saturday (6/13) at 1:00 PM – Trade doomscrolling for thread at this beginner-friendly workshop where you embroider a celestial crow, cat, or frog into wall art. Guided yet self-paced, taught by Tucson’s own Jason Williamson, it is relaxing, skill-building, and gloriously low-stakes. Finally, a pet that does not shed.
🔧 Second Saturday Repair Event @ Xerocraft Makerspace | Saturday (6/13) at 4:00 PM – Second Saturday is for fixing the stuff you love, not replacing it. At this monthly meetup, friendly tinkerers help mend what’s busted, for free, and your wallet, your conscience, and that wobbly chair all breathe easier. Consider it small-town therapy with screws.
🎪 Street Fair in the Park @ Eagle Crest Park | Saturday (6/13) at 4:00 PM – Street Fair in the Park is leaning into cooler evenings with live music, food trucks, local artists, and bakers, so you can shop without melting. Come for neighborly chats and dancing under the stars, stay for treats that taste like home, not a fad.
🎶 John Hughes @ St. Philip's Plaza Market | Sunday (6/14) at 8:00 AM – John Hughes kicks off the Summer edition of the St. Philip's Plaza Market, and no, not the teen-angst one. Expect easy live tunes, shaded courtyards, and the smug joy of snagging perfect peaches. Wander for local art, bread, and chiles, then call it a win. 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 Tucson report Weather forecastToday — High: 103°F — Low: 76°F — Precip: 10%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 103. West northwest wind 3 to 9 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Northwest wind 3 to 8 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 104°F — Low: 76°F — Precip: 6%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 104. 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 remodeled 5-bed, 5-bath Casa Adobes home pairs fresh style with a laid-back setting on a quiet street. Smooth stucco, new garage doors, and updated finishes give it a polished look, while the kitchen, multiple living areas, and roomy bedrooms keep things spacious. A 350-sf guest house, mountain views, and a nature preserve across the street add extra charm.
Take a peek inside → |
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