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Hello Surprise! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Treasure hunting at Deseret Industries, Museum of the West expansion, and Din Tai Fung opening + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

Treasure hunting made easy: People drive from across Arizona to the massive Deseret Industries Thrift Store in Glendale, which features neatly organized aisles, a packed furniture department, and seasonal shoes and clothing — see how it’s organized.

Spotlight on Western artistry: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West will unveil a $12 million expansion March 28, debuting the Louis Sands IV Center with a weeklong celebration and a free Opening Day event — get details on new exhibits.

Signature 18-fold craftsmanship: Din Tai Fung confirmed its Scottsdale Fashion Square opening for April 20. Reservations opened Feb. 26. Expect soup dumplings, a dumpling expo kitchen, and a full bar — get all the opening details.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/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.

Highlights this week:

• Enjoy baseball bites and craft brews
• Plan smarter with at-home Life Care
• Celebrate cool cars at Ventana Lakes
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

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 Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Small plates, big flavor: Surprise’s Quench Taps and Tapas turns out scratch-made tapas with a local twist, from house-baked gluten-free breads and shareable bites to cocktails shaken with fresh juice, plus a deep wine list and rotating Arizona craft beers. Ideal for a breezy weeknight catch-up or a low-key date.

Lace up locally: Whether you’re easing into morning walks, chasing a PR, or keeping up with the dog, Tortoise & Hare Sports brings welcoming community, expert guidance, and trail-to-sidewalk gear to keep you moving. With fun runs and low-pressure clinics, getting started feels easy this week.

Big screen under stars: Craving a cozy, windows-down movie night without the sticky floors? West Wind Glendale 9 Drive-In keeps the big-screen magic alive from your own car. Bring a friend, tune the radio, and make it a low-key tradition… classic cinema vibes with fresh night air.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Fun for the whole fam

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🍿 Wreck It Ralph Family Movie Night @ Freedom Traditional Academy | Friday (3/6) at 6:00 PM – Outdoor movies still count as parenting, right? Wreck-It Ralph takes over the courtyard for a family screening, weather and lighting permitting, so bring blankets, lawn chairs, and snacks. You get arcade nostalgia, they get giggles, bedtime gets conveniently negotiable.

🏃 Spring Training 5K and 1K Fun Run @ Surprise Stadium | Friday (3/6) at 7:00 PM – Spring Training in Surprise means one thing, earn your ballpark snacks first. Jog a 5K or cruise the 1K through the Rangers and Royals digs at Surprise Stadium, salute 250 years and baseball’s legacy, then score a tee, a medal, and a BOGO lawn seat.

⚾ Spring Training Classic @ Valley Vista High School | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 AM – Spring in AZ means dusting off the folding chair and pretending 12U has a farm system. Expect real competition, tidy fields, and smooth schedules at Valley Vista and Youngker. Coaches, registration is open, bragging rights included.

🎶 Multicultural Music Festival and Black History Celebration @ Centennial Plaza Park | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Bring a lawn chair and two step to Centennial Plaza for a multicultural music fest and Black History celebration where the set list travels farther than your last vacation. Hear jazz, Latin, country, and gospel, plus vendors, good eats, and community health booths.

⛸ Snoopy Skate @ Great Skate | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Lace up and roll to Glendale’s Great Skate for a Snoopy takeover, with a meet-and-greet, Peanuts trivia, prizes, and a costume contest. Dress as your favorite blockhead, bring the kids or your inner kid, and try not to pull a Charlie Brown on the rink.

☘ St Patty’s Day Preparty @ Paseo Verde Park | Saturday (3/7) at 5:00 PM – Peoria’s St. Patty’s pre-party brings a free outdoor screening of Zootopia 2, night market and food trucks, pups welcome. Wear green, spread a blanket, let the kids chase balloon animals and dance themselves sleepy while you shop, snack, and call it quality family time.

🎤 Date Night Comedy Show @ Mountain Ridge Church | Saturday (3/7) at 5:00 PM – If your marriage could use a tune-up that looks like laughter, Josh Novey brings a comedy date night for grownups. Choose the early show with kid wrangling, snacks, and fun, or the later one for just-us time, invite friends, and call it cheaper than counseling.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Surprise report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 84°F – Low: 53°F – Precip: 0%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 79°F – Low: 46°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 0 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 46. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

This 4-bed, 3.75-bath retreat spans over 3,600 sq ft on 2.5 serene acres, balancing comfort, privacy, and equestrian living. Expansive covered patios front and back anchor outdoor life, and a private pool cools sunny days. Horse facilities include stalls, riding space, and a dedicated watering system that also simplifies landscape care.

Take a peek inside →