Hello Oro Valley! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Zoo's Asia exhibit, dinosaur craft program, and toddler program: catch the beat! + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
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 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
New exhibit takes shape: Big arrivals will greet Tucson's Reid Park Zoo as Pathway to Asia exhibit nears opening, featuring red pandas, Malayan tigers and Komodo dragons, with construction expected to wrap by fall -- see what’s coming soon.
Downtown parking costs rise: Planning a trip downtown? Park Tucson will raise meter rates to $1.50 an hour starting July 1, up from $1, while enforcement hours stay the same Monday through Saturday -- check the new meter rates.
County refund process resumes: Refund checks will soon go out to some Pima County homeowners after a system error overvalued 630 properties, leading to about $6 million in overpaid taxes over four years -- see the refund timeline.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
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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 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Arcade night, upgraded Swap the living-room grind for a legit rig session at Level Up Gaming, a clean, community-friendly PC lounge with high-end setups, crisp high‑refresh displays, and staff who actually remember your game. Perfect for sneaking in ranked matches or low‑key co‑op without wrangling your home network.
Fresh-air fallback plan: Riverfront Park is your low-effort upgrade when cabin fever hits... easy strolls, room to toss a ball, kid energy burn-off, and enough space for whatever counts as exercise this week. Pack water, text a neighbor, and let the desert sky handle the mood reset.
Desert yard glow-up: When your yard needs a little Sonoran magic, Tucson Cactus & Koi has three acres of cacti, succulents, pottery and a legit koi shop with pond plants and know-how. Family-owned, super helpful, and yes, you can feed the koi... maybe even say hi to Pete the turtle.
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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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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
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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 Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
👶 Toddler Program: Catch the Beat! @ Oro Valley Public Library | Wednesday (6/24) at 10:00 AM – This toddler jam session blends global beats, tiny instruments, and wiggly dance moves, all sized for short attention spans. Your kid gets instruments from around the world, music from different cultures, and a crash course in listening. You get chaos, smiles, and guilt-free coffee afterward.
🏌 Southern Arizona #4-El Conquistador @ El Conquistador Golf & Tennis | Wednesday (6/24) – Junior golf takes over El Conquistador as the Southwest PGA Junior Prep Tour rolls through, a one-day showdown for boys and girls ages 5 to 18 that has minted standouts for three decades. Expect swings, proud families, and short games that humble your league night.
🦖 Dinosaur Craft Program @ Oro Valley Public Library | Thursday (6/25) at 3:00 PM – Whether your dino expert is 3 to 8, this craft session turns cardboard tubes, paper plates, and other recyclables into Jurassic fridge art, courtesy of Emily Kleinkauf. You get quality screen-free time, they get roaring rights, and your recycling bin gets a night off.
🌴 Chillin' at the Chul @ Tohono Chul Botanical Gardens, Galleries, and Bistro (Tucson) | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – Nothing beats live music in the garden when the desert decides to behave. Tohono Chul serves cool shade, cold drinks, art to wander, and tasty bites from the Garden Bistro, plus kid-friendly diversions so grownups can actually finish a conversation.
🌱 Plant a Seed, Read! @ Oro Valley Public Library | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Think your kids only garden on iPads? This song-filled, movement-heavy storytime gets them exploring how to raise real plants, then crafting simple instruments from garden and wild finds. It is wholesome, noisy, and surprisingly zen, the rare combo that entertains them, and restores you.
🚗 Freddy's Last Saturday Car Show @ Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (Tucson) | Saturday (6/27) at 3:00 PM – Last Saturday means Freddy’s car show, a day-of-only, roll-in-and-register affair with trophies for everything from classic trucks to modern muscle, imports, and sports cars. Expect shiny paint, proud restorations, and dads explaining carburetors, but leave the burnouts, drama, and loud music at home.
🏕 Room Refresh Series Morning Summer Camp @ AR Workshop (Tucson) | Monday (6/29) at 9:30 AM – Got a 7-and-up whose room screams chaos chic? This morning camp trades screens for STEAM and turns them loose on photo boards, canvas wall art, pom pillows, totes, and a plank sign, with designs chosen day one, and confidence sneaking in by accident.
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 — The Oro Valley report Weather forecastToday — High: 109°F — Low: 80°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 109. Heat index values as high as 106. West wind 1 to 12 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 80. North northeast wind 1 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 109°F — Low: 78°F — Precip: 5%
Sunny, with a high near 109. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. This house is wildThis 2,458 sq ft Vicenza plan in Rancho Vistoso pairs 10-foot ceilings and 8-foot doors with a paver driveway, gated courtyard, and custom wrought-iron entry. Inside, a quartz-and-gas gourmet kitchen anchors the open great room, while outside, a sparkling pool, fruit trees, no rear neighbor, and Catalina Mountain views steal the show.
Take a peek inside → |
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