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Happy Friday, East Valley. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let East Valley Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.
In today’s edition: Lovin’ Life Expo Mesa, LovePup Family Fest, Turkey Tuesday food drive, and more.
Let’s get to it.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Free bowls and swag: Luna Grill opened its first Arizona spot in Mesa’s Eastmark, offering opening-week loyalty double points and kids eat free for rewards members through the end of the year — get all the opening details.
Campus revitalization advances: Construction has begun on Friendship Village Tempe’s third phase, a 175,900-square-foot building with 69 independent living apartments and fifth-floor amenities including duckpin bowling, with substantial completion targeted for Q4 2027 — get all the details.
Holiday meals for local families: Turkey Tuesday returns Nov. 18, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Mesa Convention Center North Parking Lot, aiming for 2,000 turkeys and $20,000, with sponsors matching up to $75,000 — see how and where to donate.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
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Small-batch chocolate in Scottsdale, made local
East Valley chocolate cravings deserve better than the grocery aisle. Zak’s is a petite Scottsdale micro‑factory turning cacao into small‑batch bars, bonbons, and dangerously fudgy brownies.
There’s no fuss here, just clean flavors and craft. You taste the attention in every bite, whether you choose a glossy truffle or a crackly‑topped brownie.
They lean local in all the right ways: Danzeisen cream enriches ganaches and caramels, Hayden Flour Mills lifts the brownies, Bergies coffee powers mocha truffles, AZ Queen Bee sweetens a honey truffle, and PB Americano fills peanut butter cups. Watch for beer‑inspired bonbons with AZ Wilderness and the award‑winning Coffee Break Bar.
Pro tip: order ahead online for quick pickup, then “forget” to share with your household. Treat yourself at Zak’s Chocolate today.
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Advertising with us is as easy as it gets. Fill out this quick form and we’ll get you in an upcoming edition!
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🫶 We got your back
Smoother rides ahead: Loop 101’s Pima Freeway just got roomier in Scottsdale. A new southbound lane between Princess Drive and Shea Boulevard opened this week, after a northbound lane last week, giving the 4.5-mile stretch four general-purpose lanes plus an HOV each way. The $108 million widening remains on track to finish in early 2026. See where lanes just opened.
Downtown group spurs changes: Tempe tweaked its rules so property owners can set time limits for EV charging, instead of the old six-hour cap. Expect posted limits (think three hours) and higher fines for overstays. The change aims to keep chargers turning over as EV demand surges. It takes effect in December. See what’s changed and when.
Pet-parent sanity saver: Need a quick dog reset? Bark & Luv is a local pet shop with a self-serve dog wash, curated food and treats, and real humans for nutrition guidance, plus East Valley delivery. Easy in, easy out… happier pup, calmer you.
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.
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🤝 Introducing local deals (just for you)
We’re launching a brand new segment to bring you exclusive local offers from trusted businesses right here in East Valley. Think of it as your inside pass to the best local finds, discounts, and experiences.
The kind only available to East Valley Brief readers.
Know a local business you love? Send ’em this newsletter and encourage them to get involved.
Own, manage, or market a local business? We’d love to feature you here for free. The only catch? Your deal has to be genuinely valuable and exclusive to our readers.
Email us 👉 [email protected] to get started.
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📆 Around town this weekend
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Have an event to share? Submit it here for free →
Today
💼 Tempe Hiring Event @ Pyle Adult Recreation Center | Friday (11/14) at 10:00am – Ready to make your next career move? Maricopa County is bringing together a lineup of local employers who are eager to hire—like, today. No registration, no hoops to jump through—just bring your resume and your best handshake.
🌵 Phoenician Fall Fest @ The Phoenician | Friday (11/14) at 6:00pm – Whether your boots are broken-in or borrowed, this under-the-stars hoedown brings live country from Phoenix’s Kruse Brothers, line-dance lessons, a mechanical bull, and dangerously sippable cocktails. Expect lawn games, a beer burro, and s’mores, and feel good knowing it benefits Home Fur Good.
This weekend
🐾 Woofstock @ Tumbleweed Park | Saturday (11/15) at 9:00am – Leash up the pup and head to Tumbleweed Park for a free, fur-flying romp. Your Very Important Pooch gets treats, toys, and sniff-worthy socializing while you browse pet vendors, sip something cold, and pretend you are the one in charge. Good dogs, better people.
🧵 Embroidery Workshop @ The Art House Gilbert | Saturday (11/15) at 3:30pm – Downtown Gilbert’s version of self-care means a stitch-and-sip in an urban studio, with an artist walking you through embroidery you’ll actually want to hang. Grab your crew, grab a drink, one ticket per person, and cancel more than 48 hours out if life happens.
🐶 LovePup Family Fest Presented by McCarthy @ Vertuccio Farms | Saturday (11/15) at 4:00pm – LovePup Family Fest is taking over Vertuccio Farms with Fitz and the Tantrums, Gym Class Heroes, and The Rich Berra Band, plus plenty of rescues. Admission is free with a pet supply donation. Bring leashes, kids, and your dog, because they run this town.
🏃 Couch to 5K @ Hundred Mile Brewing Company | Sunday (11/16) at 8:15am – Trade your slippers for sneakers and join Nick for a lakeside run that’s more fun than fitness torture. This weekly meetup is as chill as it is motivating—kids and dogs are totally welcome. And yes, there’s a cold local brew waiting for you at the finish line.
🚛 Dino’s Git-Down “Hangover Party” @ Dixxon Flannel Co. | Sunday (11/16) at 10:00am – Sunday recovery calls for engines, caffeine, and sugar at Dixxon HQ. Hooligan’s coffee, Boba & Donuts on Dixxon, plus music, games, and new releases, so you can shake off the Git-Down hangover with coffee, cars, and good vibes at Dixxon HQ.
🍻 Barks and Booze @ Hair of the Dog – Wine Bar and Tap House | Sunday (11/16) at 2:00pm – Sunday at Hair of the Dog means one thing, football with a side of wagging. Bring your four-legged roommate, sip something decent, and let them demolish a pup cup while you yell at the refs with other dog people. Booze, buddies, barking, in that order.
Next week
❤️ Lovin’ Life Expo Mesa @ Mesa Convention Center | Tuesday (11/18) at 9:00am – If you’re 50-plus and your social circle is stuck on the same three dinner spots, roll to this Mesa expo for new friends and easy networking. Expect live entertainment, raffle goodies, and a $100 cash prize every hour, plus A/C, and no awkward speed-dating vibes.
📚 The Other Americans by Laila Lalami @ Chandler Museum | Tuesday (11/18) at 12:00pm – Settle in with Laila Lalami’s The Other Americans, then swap theories and plot twists with fellow readers in-person at Chandler Museum’s book club, led by curator Kristine Clark. It pairs with the exhibition The Newest Americans, so your cultural multitasking totally counts as self-care.
🍳 Chef’s Test Kitchen @ Guadalupe On Main | Tuesday (11/18) at 5:30pm – Take a break from the usual order and slip into The Guadalupe on Main, where Chef Jhomeny Ramos is test-driving dishes not yet on the menu. Expect a cozy dinner, curious flavors, and bragging rights, with zero fuss, just skill, soul, and good company.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🎶 Live music & entertainment
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🏠️ Price is right – East Valley edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
Listed by: Nicholas R Kibby (Keller Williams Integrity First)
On a rare 1-acre county island in Gilbert, this compound brings space, style, and no HOA. The 2,050 sq ft main home has an airy great room, 3 bedrooms and an office lounge, plus a granite and stainless kitchen with an oversized island. Out back, a resort pool, water feature, built-in BBQ, and kiva fireplace. Pool days on repeat.
The 2019 guest casita offers 832 sq ft, a quartz kitchen, porcelain tile, laundry, ADA-friendly design, and a fenced paver patio with gazebo. Horse setup, chicken coop, fruit trees, tropical garden, and mountain views, minutes to Gilbert dining and shops.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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