Hello Fountain Hills! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Arizona’s first Buc-ee’s, endangered species encounter, and zoo to you + 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.
Retail debut draws buzz: Buc-ee's opened its first Arizona store in Goodyear, drawing huge crowds and social buzz as CEO Arch Beaver Aplin III and Gov. Katie Hobbs joined the ribbon cutting -- see the ribbon cutting.
Major drainage upgrade underway: A Scottsdale intersection closed, sending drivers on a three-week detour as a $13 million flood project extends a 78-inch storm drain. The full project is expected complete in December 2026 -- track the drainage project.
Environmental permit review: Public comment is open through July 22 on reissuing Arizona’s stormwater permit for Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems. Fountain Hills residents can weigh in by email or mail -- learn how to comment.
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.*
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.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* 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 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Skill-based family fun: Swap couch scrolling for actual button mashing at Cyber Quest at Arizona Boardwalk, a bright, family-friendly arcade with non-violent, skill-focused games and a Prize Zone that’s dangerously motivating. Easy win for keeping the kids happy, settling sibling rivalries, or sneaking in a little friendly competition yourself, no tickets-to-tears drama required.
Kid energy release plan: Got cabin fever at home? Four Peaks Park Playground is a low-stress, high-payoff option for quick climbs, slides, and sprint circuits, with those classic Four Peaks views keeping you sane. Swing by with sunscreen and water, let the littles run wild, then reclaim your afternoon.
Desert yard glow up: If your saguaro looks lonely, Verde Valley Nursery has cacti, agave, euphorbia, desert trees, vibrant flowers, and those colorful Talavera and terracotta pots that make patios pop. Need a plan? Their sister team at Verde Valley Landscaping can design a low-maintenance layout that survives July.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Makeup for skin that's changed, now up to 65% off: Laura Geller has built its following on formulas made for mature skin, led by the baked foundations women over 40 keep coming back to. Right now, new email subscribers get up to 65% off plus an extra 22%. Enter your email on the page and the discount activates. *See the VIP pricing →
Need cash but can't take on another monthly payment? This gets you a lump sum from your home's equity with no monthly bill and no interest, because it isn't a loan. Use the funds for anything, whether that's home improvements, paying off debt, or a large purchase, and pay it back by the end of your 30-year term. Checking your offer is easy, fully online, and won't affect your credit score. *See your cash offer →
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 →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
Wish you had someone to talk to right now? The quiet hours are the hardest, especially when you just want someone to talk to. That's exactly what this is built for: real conversations, real matches, real people. Not endless swiping, but actual chats with singles who want to connect as much as you do. Someone to talk to could be a message away. *Join now and start chatting → |
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.
🎉 Enrollment Block Party @ Learning Foundation Stapley 'Back to the Basics' (Mesa) | Wednesday (6/24) at 4:00 PM – Bring the kiddos to an enrollment block party with school tours, meet-the-teachers, vendors, raffles, and food trucks. They get playground time and the splash pad, you get straight answers, decent tacos, and the thrill of maybe enrolling without paperwork-induced rage.
🐍 Endangered Species @ Wild Birds Unlimited (Mesa) | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary is dropping by the shop to school us on endangered species, and how to help without adopting a tortoise. Expect real reptiles, real talk, minimal guilt, and a cozy crowd, because space is tight and attention spans are precious.
🦞 Family Art - Chillin' Lobster @ Creative Color Art Studios (Scottsdale) | Saturday (6/27) at 1:00 PM – Lakefront studio hosts a family paint class where instructor guides you through a chill lobster, no experience needed, materials provided, canvas to take home. Painters must be 6+, kids need a painting adult, and everyone needs a paid seat, $45 each. Seafood, no smell.
🎳 Phoenix Legacy Foundation's Bowling Fundraiser @ Bowlero (Scottsdale) | Saturday (6/27) at 1:00 PM – Think your spare game can do some real good? At Bowlero in Scottsdale, this fundraiser for Phoenix Legacy Foundation and its partner charities brings friendly team play, raffles, a silent auction, and maximum bragging rights, plus those stylish rental shoes we pretend to hate.
🎬 Saturday Movie Matinees @ Fountain View Village | Saturday (6/27) at 2:00 PM – Fountain Hills Movie Theater, our only screen in town, is keeping the AC humming with a weekly Saturday matinee that still feels right. Expect two hours of air-conditioned peace, decent popcorn, and neighborly nods, which beats arguing with your landscaper or your thermostat.
🧱 Mining & Crafting LEGO Camp @ Horizon Park (Scottsdale) | Monday (6/29) – If your kid mines, crafts, and leaves rogue bricks for your feet, this LEGO camp is the upgrade. Held in Room 2 at Horizon Park & Community Center, the Bricks 4 Kidz crew guides ages 5 to 17 through screen-light builds, imagination, and chaos.
🦁 Zoo to You @ Fountain Hills Library | Tuesday (6/30) at 10:00 AM – Zoo to You is rolling into town with real, live critters, and the kind of keeper stories you repeat at dinner. Get face-to-fur without the airfare, learn a thing or two, and feel smug about choosing enrichment over errands.
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 Fountain Hills report Weather forecastToday — High: 111°F — Low: 83°F — Precip: 1%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 111. South southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 83. North northwest wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 110°F — Low: 81°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 110. South southwest wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 81. South wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. This house is wildThis nearly brand-new North Scottsdale home is in permitting now, with most of the original house being rebuilt into a fresh 10' ceiling layout, plus a vaulted living room for extra drama. Set in a gated neighborhood with great neighbors, it is under 10 minutes from the 101, Kierland, and Scottsdale Quarter. Buyers can still choose custom finishes.
Take a peek inside → |
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