Hello Phoenix! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Buc-ee’s Arizona debut, flashlight walking tours, and Shrek the Musical + 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.
A fan-favorite arrival: Buc-ee's opened its first Arizona store in Goodyear, drawing hundreds. CEO Arch Beaver Aplin III and Governor Katie Hobbs joined a ribbon cutting ceremony that wowed fans -- see the Buc-ee's buzz.
Regional flood work underway: A Scottsdale intersection has closed for a three-week detour as a $13M flood project advances to extend a 78-inch storm drain, with full completion expected in December 2026 -- see the flood detour.
Summer library concert series: Phoenix and North Valley Symphony Orchestra bring American compositions to Phoenix libraries this summer. The next performance is today at Juniper Library in 250 Years of America, a Musical Event -- catch the library concert.
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.*
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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.
Go outside, Phoenix: Encanto Park is your easy win for a low-stress reset this week, with a legit fishing pond, two golf courses if you feel ambitious, a pool when the sun picks a fight, and ball fields for that pickup game you swear you’re still good at.
Craving indoor jungle vibes? When the desert home needs a humidity break, Jungle Box delivers with lush houseplants, terrarium-ready bits, and a wander-through Bamboo Room that feels like a field trip. Peek at the dart frogs, snag care tips, maybe book a workshop, then watch your living room get noticeably greener.
Press play on fun: Stardust Pinbar is your go-to when the crew wants pinball with their pour, serving specialty drinks, drafts, ciders and even a little wine. It’s bright, buzzy, and weirdly wholesome to chase multiballs with friends, then toast the high score you totally earned.
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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.
💦 Red White & COOL @ Desert Ridge Marketplace | Wednesday (6/24) at 10:30 AM – Beat the oven-level heat at the Desert Ridge splash pad, where DJ Alakazam handles the beats, red, white, and blue cupcakes and popsicles handle the bribes, and the foam zone handles the chaos. Plus photo ops, giveaways, and a Fairmont Princess staycation.
🔦 Flashlight Walking Tours of The Square @ The Square PHX | Thursday (6/25) at 7:30 PM – Prefer nightlife with a flashlight, a stroll, and stories older than your HOA? Explore The Square PHX at Heritage & Science Park, from Ancestral Sonoran Desert pithouses to the 1895 Rosson House, and beyond. Adults $12, kids $5, members free, popsicles included.
🧅 Shrek the Musical @ Herberger Theater Center | Friday (6/26) at 7:00 PM – Whether you can still quote the movie or your kids do, Valley Youth Theatre’s Shrek the Musical serves up big laughs, bigger hearts, and air-conditioned bliss downtown. Expect a fearless princess, a chatty Donkey, and local kids belting like pros, happily ever after included.
🎉 Grand Opening Celebration @ True Chiropractic | Saturday (6/27) at 12:00 AM – True Chiropractic is kicking off in Gilbert with free chair massages, prize drawings every 15 minutes, food, a kids area, and a ribbon cutting. Grand prize is a corrective care plan, which your back will appreciate more than a koozie, plus meet Dr. Paul Battaglia.
💪 Men's Health & Wellness Fair @ Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – This men’s health and wellness fair keeps it real with screenings, straight talk, and local resources, and it’s free. For the guy who treats checkups like leap years, expect no judgment and a nudge to tune up the classic dad bod engine.
🎬 Youth Taking Charge Movie Event @ AMC Arizona Center 24 | Saturday (6/27) at 10:30 AM – All-ages and free, Youth & Truth cuts through myths on underage drinking with straight talk on health, the law, and developing brains. Bring the teens, endure eye rolls, then enjoy a free Toy Story 5 screening, which is Phoenix parenting, consequences first, Pixar later.
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 Phoenix report Weather forecastToday — High: 111°F — Low: 88°F — Precip: 1%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 111. West southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 88. West southwest wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 111°F — Low: 86°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 111. South southwest wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 86. South southwest wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. This house is wildPerched in guard-gated Coral Gables Estates, this 9,241-square-foot Moon Valley showpiece blends Bob Bacon architecture with Kitchell’s commercial-grade construction. Set on 2.3 acres, it features a detached guest house, garage space for 10 vehicles, an elevator, a Crestron smart system, and a chef’s kitchen with River Green granite. Resort-style pool, grotto, and waterfall complete the scene.
Take a peek inside → |
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