Monday, April 27, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

Downtown priorities take shape: Scottsdale launched an Old Town task force led by Mayor Lisa Borowsky and about 45 business owners. The city also plans a $1.3 million marketing campaign to boost Old Town -- learn what's on the table.

Inside Starfish’s newest space: Starfish Scottsdale will open May 5 in McCormick Ranch, the brand’s first location outside California, serving coastal Asian dishes and drinks. Extra reservations will be available May 1 through 4 -- see menu and space details.

Dreamscape brings new vision: Old Town Scottsdale’s rebranded Hotel Solaya has opened, joining JdV by Hyatt after a full renovation. The 194-room hotel features Sonoran-inspired design, a refreshed pool deck, spa, and new dining concepts -- get all the property details.

The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you've been on the same plan for years, you're probably paying way more than you need to. It's an easy bill to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,000 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium to ~$60 a month - see how much you could save.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

Trail prep made easy: Arizona Hiking Shack equips you for spur-of-the-moment Camelback laps and bigger weekend adventures, with real-world know-how, reliable gear, and helpful rentals or classes that keep desert miles smoother, safer, and more fun. Effortless prep, confident footing, and scenery that steals the show.

Healthcare law, simplified: Boesen & Snow Law guides pharmacy and healthcare businesses in Scottsdale through telehealth, PBM audits, licensing, HIPAA, contracts, and compliance. When red tape ties up your week, they untangle it so you can keep moving.

Patio goals, achieved: When you want a little Riviera energy without leaving the neighborhood, Olive & Ivy brings Mediterranean-inspired plates, a lively bar scene, and that Scottsdale Waterfront patio you keep promising to enjoy. Share a bruschetta flight, order a flatbread, sip something crisp, call it your midweek reset.

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 →

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 →

Selling your house doesn't have to take months: If you need to sell quickly — because you're downsizing, relocating, or just ready to close this chapter — Liz helps seniors sell their houses fast. As-is. No repairs, no showings, no drawn-out back-and-forth. You pick the closing date. *See how it works →

Unknown-number calls aren't random: Scammers don't just pick numbers out of a hat. They pay data brokers a few bucks and get everything they need to harass you, trick you, rob you, or steal your identity outright. Incogni removes all of your personal info from these data broker sites and keeps an eye out to make sure it stays gone for good. *Get protected →

For women who've been feeling off for years: The fatigue, the weight creeping up, the mood swings, the sleep that won't hold. Turns out most of those "it's just aging" problems are actually caused by hormones, and proper HRT can get you back to feeling like yourself. The catch? You can't get it without a full hormone panel and a doctor who understands what those numbers mean. Most women never get either, but Hone Health gives you both. *See how it works →

🏜 The Desert is a Dotted Line: Connecting Taliesin West and Early Scottsdale @ Mustang Library | Tuesday (4/28) at 5:00 PM – Trade one more patio happy hour for the real scoop on Taliesin West. Archivist Nicole Richard unpacks how early Scottsdale kept Wright’s desert camp humming, with rare photos, receipts, and untold stories, in a one-night-only talk at Mustang Library. Free, but register.

🏊 Rooftop Pool Floating Sound Bath @ Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU | Thursday (4/30) at 7:00 PM – If you’ve been meaning to relax without scheduling it, try a rooftop pool sound bath at the Omni. Drift on a paddleboard while flutes and gongs do the work, then score 25% off at Lucero or Neighborhood Services. Bring towels, float $55, or lounge $40.

🖼 Visions ’26 Opening Reception @ Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – An opening reception spotlights high school artists making their professional debut, guided by Arizona pros. Think fridge art promoted to museum walls, inspired by SMoCA exhibitions and artist-led workshops, and tackling what matters to them. Swing by, sip something, and brag you knew them first.

🌷 Mother's Day Pop-up Market @ AMP Fitness (Mesa) | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – Take Mom, your daughter, or your favorite partner-in-crime to AMP Fitness for a Mother’s Day pop-up that starts with Pilates and ends with pampering. If Pilates isn't your love language, the mini massages, sourdough, custom hats, permanent jewelry, and DIY bouquets might be.

🎭 Tarzan: The Stage Musical @ Highlands Church | Friday (5/1) at 6:30 PM – Swing over to Highlands Church in North Scottsdale for Tarzan: The Stage Musical, a Disney-fueled adventure with soaring vocals, wild choreography, and serious aerial stunts. It is big-hearted, kid-approved, and surprisingly moving, like family night with fewer screens, and more vines.

🏡 Maricopa County Home & Flower Show @ WestWorld of Scottsdale | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Trade scrolling home inspo for the real thing at the Maricopa County Home & Flower Show, Arizona’s biggest, family-run staple. Wander aisles of desert blooms, shade-savvy upgrades, and local pros, then leave with deals, advice, and the sudden urge to mulch everything.

🎨 Family Art - The Child @ Creative Color Art Studios | Saturday (5/2) at 1:00 PM – Need quality kid time that does not involve screens? Bring the crew to the lakeside studio for a guided paint session, no experience needed, and leave with a masterpiece. Kids 6+ welcome, adults paint too, painters only, $45 per person, materials and canvas included.

At 9,640 SF, this 6-bed, 9-bath estate in Scottsdale's Desert Hills North by Patterson Homes, no HOA, is styled by CAM Design Group. A vaulted great room frames a floor-to-ceiling field stone fireplace. The chef's kitchen boasts Roman clay, rift white oak cabinetry, Sub-Zero columns, a 60-inch Wolf range, and a butler's pantry. A detached casita and resort pool shine.