Hello Surprise! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Buc-ee’s debut, dinosaur LEGO challenges, and donuts with dispatch + 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.
Downtown growth strategy: Peoria is investing $15 million in Jefferson House, a downtown gathering place with a restaurant and bar, aiming to spur private development and eventually generate roughly $450 million in sales -- see Jefferson House plans.
A roadside spectacle arrives: Arizona’s first Buc-ee’s opened June 22 in Goodyear near I-10 and Bullard Avenue, and customers poured in. The beaver-branded stop’s debut turned heads across the West Valley -- see Buc-ee’s debut photos.
Regional water partnership: Peoria City Council approved a water exchange agreement with Cave Creek on June 16, giving Cave Creek short-term supply while securing Peoria recovered water and fee to bolster well upkeep -- check the water deal details.
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.
One-stop fun fix: Between bowling, mini golf, an overachieving arcade, and recliner-seat movies, FatCats Surprise is the easiest answer to the “what are we doing tonight” text. Great for corralling kids or low-key dates, and yes, the AC and menu make it dangerously easy to stay awhile at Village at Prasada.
Desert yard glow-up: Thinking about trading that thirsty patch of lawn for something smarter, wander through Galleries Guadalajara for cacti, succulents, and colorful Mexican pottery that makes patios pop. Family-owned and wildly helpful, it’s a low-stress way to give your Surprise yard some instant personality this week.
Indoor sanity saver: Surprise & Shine is an indoor play and learning spot designed by educators for littles roughly 6 months to 7 years, with clean, sensory-friendly zones, themed playhouses, climbing structures, and imagination stations. Open play, enrichment classes, and birthday parties mean your kid burns energy while you actually sit for a minute.
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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 →
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 →
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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.
👩 Jan Sandwich as 'Martha Washington' @ Sunrise Mountain Library (Peoria) | Friday (6/26) at 11:30 AM – Jan Sandwich channels Martha Washington at Sunrise Mountain Library, turning dusty history into a charming, slightly magical show. Expect fun presidential trivia, the flag, our money, and sing-alongs, with just enough hocus-pocus to keep the grandkids, and you, actually paying attention.
🎈 Summer Family Fun Nights @ Tanger Outlets Phoenix (Glendale) | Friday (6/26) at 6:30 PM – Friday nights are for letting the kids run wild while you pretend it’s cardio. This free series packs a DJ, games, prizes, and rotating themes like Toy Story, a Little Mermaid set, Bluey shenanigans, and a Huntr/x dance party, all high-energy, surprisingly wholesome.
☕ Caffeine and Chrome @ Gateway Classic Cars of Scottsdale (Peoria) | Saturday (6/27) at 8:00 AM – Last-Saturday mornings call for Caffeine and Chrome at Gateway Classic Cars, where the coffee is hot, the donuts vanish fast, and paint jobs outshine the Scottsdale sun. Stroll rows of beauties, trade stories with fellow gearheads, and bring the kids, pets, and parking lot swagger.
🃏 Phoenix Front Row Card Show @ State Farm Stadium (Glendale) | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – A collector takeover lands at State Farm Stadium with 600 tables of sports cards, comics, and pop culture finds, all browsed at field level like you got called up by the Cardinals. CGC and JSA on site, free parking, and the first 200 snag swag.
🍩 Donuts With Dispatch @ Asante Library | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Whether your kid loves sirens or you love pastries, Donuts with Dispatch offers face time with folks behind 9-1-1, kids and parents welcome. Meet calm voices you hear when things go sideways, say hi to first responders, peek at gear, and call it quality time.
🐶 4th Of July Mini Pet Photoshoot @ FurBabies & Friends (Glendale) | Sunday (6/28) at 7:00 AM – Skip the fireworks panic and get your pet a star-spangled mini photoshoot. Quiet morning minis with red, white, and blue sets, 20-minute sessions, still $30, perfect for noise-sensitive pets, the summer mantel, and holiday posts that say we have our lives together, mostly.
🎨 Family Paint Party @ Irish Wolfhound Restaurant & Pub | Sunday (6/28) at 1:00 PM – Swap the routine for brushes, smocks, and gloriously messy color at a family paint night made for all ages. Nothing says quality time like debating whose tree looks most like broccoli. No talent required, just patience, snacks, and a sense of humor.
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 Surprise report Weather forecastToday — High: 112°F — Low: 86°F — Precip: 1%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 112. South southwest wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 86. West southwest wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 111°F — Low: 84°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 111. South southwest wind 0 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 84. Southwest wind 0 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. This house is wildThis beautifully renovated tri-level in Sunburst Farms sits on more than half an acre of flood-irrigated horse property with a backyard built for fun. The open-concept kitchen brings custom cabinetry and newer appliances, while the lower level adds flexible guest space. Outside, the diving pool, garden, chicken coop, covered patio, and private balcony steal the show.
Take a peek inside → |
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