Happy Tuesday, Phoenix. In today’s edition: Transit safety improvements, Phoenix Ballet’s The Nutcracker, Cookies N’ Cocoa, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Partnerships improve transit experience: Valley Metro says riders feel safer and satisfied after security visibility increased. A recent survey and data show rail incidents down over 50 percent and September ridership up 21 percent — learn about safety efforts.

Stalled project moves forward: One Camelback in Uptown Phoenix has been sold, with financing secured to complete 163 luxury residences plus retail and underground parking, positioning the project to debut near light rail — read the full story.

Courts urge early renter help: Maricopa County eviction filings in 2025 remain near record levels despite lower rents, with 84,000 cases so far, 4% below 2024’s peak. Officials cite job loss and nonpayment of rent — get all the details.

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.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• Shop juried art, gifts, and treats
• Experience Phoenix’s multicultural arts celebration
• Celebrate Melrose with market and tree lighting
• Dance to support Jamaica’s recovery
• Enjoy sensory-friendly ZooLights experience
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A tiny hearing aid is taking the US by storm

🫶 We got your back

Quirky holiday display triumphs: Phoenix’s Carl and Patty Jimenez took home ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight, winning $50,000 and a golden bulb trophy for their wildly packed, geeky yard display. Host Carter Oosterhouse praised how much they squeezed into a tiny lot. Bonus: another Phoenix setup, Santa’s Castle, is slated to air Dec. 11 on ABC15. Read the full story.

Immersive style destination debuts: Aritzia opened at Scottsdale Fashion Square on Dec. 6. The Vancouver brand’s new boutique leans into its Everyday Luxury vibe with a cozy lounge, curated art, and in-store Style Advisors. Expect exclusive labels like Wilfred, Babaton, Tna, and The Super Puff, plus an Atelier with state-of-the-art lighting. See what’s inside the boutique.

Winter sippers, sorted: At Simple Machine Brewing Company, darker seasonals steal the show with Cousin Eddie’s Winter Warmer (and a barrel-aged twist), roasty nitro stouts, and a malty Scotch ale. Settle in for sweater‑weather catchups on the dog‑friendly patio, where everything drinks cozy and unpretentious.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy for regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify who you are and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 Around town this week

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.

This week

🕯️ Light in the Window @ Herberger Theater Center | Tuesday (12/9) at 12:10pm – Settle into Lola’s living room as holiday scents, family stories, and the soft glow of handmade Parols fill the space. This tender Filipino Christmas tale weaves tradition, memory, and generational love into a mid-day performance that’s equal parts heartwarming and heart-tugging. Perfect for anyone craving a quiet dose of cultural magic this season.

🎄 A Charlie Brown Christmas @ Musical Instrument Museum | Tuesday (12/9) at 7:00pm – Step into pure holiday nostalgia as the Peanuts gang brings their warm, slightly chaotic Christmas charm to life. Expect classic tunes, heartfelt moments, and that signature Charlie Brown sweetness that somehow makes the season feel a little more hopeful. Perfect if you need a reminder of what Christmas is really all about.

🍸 Thursday Happy Hour: Delphine Cortez, Joel Robin & Friends @ The Nash | Thursday (12/11) at 5:00pm – Slide into an early evening groove with live jazz, zero cover, and a bar that’s ready to keep the vibes flowing. Delphine Cortez, Joel Robin, and an ever-rotating crew of standout guests set the tone for a relaxed, classy unwind. Stick around for the Jazz Casual show after 6:30pm if you’re feeling extra smooth.

🩰 Phoenix Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” Returns to AZ Financial Theatre @ Arizona Financial Theatre | Friday (12/12) at 2:00pm – Head downtown for Phoenix Ballet’s Nutcracker at Arizona Financial Theatre, a supersized production with Master Ballet Academy dancers, viral ballet influencers, new sets and choreography, and that Tchaikovsky score you’ve been humming since grade school. Matinees for the grandkids, evenings for date night, nostalgia included.

🍪 Cookies N’ Cocoa 2025 @ Grace Community Church | Friday (12/12) at 6:00pm – If your holiday spirit needs caffeine and sugar, take the fam to North Pole’s Candy Cane Lane for cocoa, cookies, and pics with Santa, all free. Stop by Rudolph’s Cocoa Stand, Mrs. Claus’ Bakery, and Santa’s Workshop, where kids snag a free book or game.

This weekend

📚 Local Author Fair! @ The Poisoned Pen Bookstore | Saturday (12/13) at 10:00am – Support your neighbors and your to-be-read pile at a low-key meet-and-greet with 12 independently published local authors upstairs in the annex. Chat, get books signed, and buy straight from the source, no middleman, no livestream, just real people, stories, and ink-stained enthusiasm.

🚂 PJs & The Polar Express: Twilight in the Dorrance DOME @ Arizona Science Center | Saturday (12/13) at 5:00pm – Trade the holiday party for PJs and a Polar Express ride under Dorrance Dome. Stretch out on beanbags while snow forests and northern lights roll overhead, then sip hot cocoa, eat popcorn, and poke around Level 1 of Arizona Science Center. No mall Santa required.

🌋 PompeII: The Exhibition After Hours @ Arizona Science Center | Saturday (12/13) at 5:00pm – Think you know ruins? Skip the museum daytime shuffle and wander Pompeii after hours, all torchlit vibes, fewer strollers, and plenty of lava-fueled drama. It is a rare, quietly thrilling stroll through ash, artifacts, and the kind of history that actually sticks.

🕵️ The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show – Tempe, AZ @ Embassy Suites Tempe | Saturday (12/13) at 6:00pm – Going undercover at dinner in Tempe, this murder mystery puts the suspects at your table, the clues in your bread basket, and the laughs on tap. No cheesy costumes, just improv, twists, and a real plated meal. Finally, true crime off the couch.

🏋️ 2025 Legends Championship @ Sun Devil Fitness Complex | Sunday (12/14) at 8:00am – This masters-only showdown brings seasoned athletes together for a full day of grit, power, and seriously impressive fitness feats. Whether you’re cheering from the sidelines or scouting inspo for your next PR, the energy is all-out electric. A perfect place to witness strength that only gets better with age.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/10 SCC Jazz and Pop Vocal Workshop with Dennis Rowland @ The Nash – 7 pm
• 12/11 Claus & Effect: A Tropical Holiday @ Herberger Theater Center – 7 pm
• 12/11 Matt Friend @ Tempe Improv – 7:30 pm
• 12/13 Cozy Day Party @ Egyptian Motor Hotel – 3 pm
• 12/13 Miriah Avila and more @ Cactus Jack’s – 7 pm
• 12/14 Brunch Collect @ The Rebel Lounge – 6 pm
• 12/15 The Paper Hats @ The Rebel Lounge – 6:30 pm
• 12/17 Light in the Window @ Herberger Theater Center – 12:10 pm
• 12/17 Drunk Christmas Carol @ Drunk Shakespeare – 7 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Patrick A Horine (Echo Real Estate)

Steps from Phoenix Mountain Preserve, this fully renovated desert modern plays it cool with a split layout featuring two primary en suites. Vaulted ceilings with exposed beams, engineered hardwoods, and SOLLiD cabinetry set the tone, while a chef’s kitchen shows off designer fixtures and a 12-foot slider for effortless indoor-outdoor flow.

Out back, the party has range, PebbleTec pool with Baja shelf, travertine deck, and a custom kitchen rocking a KokoMo grill. Fresh 2025 systems include dual ACs, plumbing, and tile roof, plus new windows, HOA front yard care, and 220V EV charging.

Take a peek inside →