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It’s Friday, East Valley! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: ALT Fest’s immersive art and light, The Fray, and a women-only rideshare launch + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around East Valley protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Inspired by Canal Convergence: ALT Fest returns to Mesa Arts Center tomorrow for its second annual fest, blending art, light and tech with DJ music, installations, AR and VR experiences for an immersive night — get all the event details.

Grand opening celebration planned: Mint Cannabis will celebrate its new East Mesa dispensary on March 28 with giveaways, food, a ribbon cutting, $1,000 for United Food Bank, and 10% senior discounts — see what’s planned for opening.

Woman-owned boutique rideshare: East Valley startup Alegna, launched by Megan Hjelle, is offering women-only rides with background-checked drivers. Reservations required 24 hours ahead, with service in Los Angeles, San Diego, Denver and Chicago — get all the 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.

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:

• Explore Oaxacan weaving and Mata Ortiz artistry
• Shop San Tan Heights Craft Fair
• Boots & Barrels Bash supports Gilbert Leadership
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Your weekly creativity nudge: Midweek moods lift at Vision Gallery, where rotating exhibitions and a shop of locally made pieces make it temptingly easy to snag a gift for a friend and, oops, for yourself. Budding artists find a home in its Vision Kids programs, fueling fresh creativity.

Deck dreams, delivered: Whether you picture a cozy morning coffee perch or a low‑maintenance composite hangout, Desert Diesel Construction Inc builds custom decks in Gilbert with licensed pros and clear communication, so that “one day” finally becomes backyard reality.

Seafood night, solved. High Tide keeps Gilbert’s seafood cravings happy with steam-kettle classics, rotating oysters, and plates that taste like a beach day, minus the burn. When the week needs a coastal reset, expect relaxed vibes and seriously fresh bites close to home.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →

Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →

📆 Around town this weekend

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.

🎭 Spring Tempe Festival of the Arts @ Downtown Tempe | Friday (3/13) at 10:00 AM – Consider this your annual excuse to swing through Mill and somehow stay until your phone begs for battery saver. 350+ artists, chalk murals in progress, wine and spirits tastings, Pedal Haus and Four Peaks gardens, a classic car stroll, plus young artists showing off.

🎬 Banff Mountain Film Festival 50th Anniversary Tour @ Pollack Cinemas (Tempe) | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to trade saguaros for summits, this is it. Banff’s 50th anniversary tour hits Tempe with three nights, six films each, serving adventure, mountain culture, and wild places, no crampons required. Proceeds support SUWA, so your popcorn counts.

🏃 Food for All 5k Walk/Run @ Freestone Park (Gilbert) | Saturday (3/14) at 8:00 AM – Lace up and head to Freestone Park for a feel-good 5k that does good. Walk, jog, or stroller-strut while tunes play, the kids burn energy, and your conscience earns a breakfast burrito. It benefits Arizona families facing food insecurity, so register and show up.

🐦 Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival @ Rawhide Western Town & Event Center | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – The Ostrich Festival is strutting into its new home at Rawhide for a bigger, better run over two weekends, which means you might find parking. Expect rides, music, and fried things, with the birds still the divas we pretend not to photograph.

☕ Afternoon Tea and Tour @ Chateau de Vie (Chandler) | Saturday (3/14) at 2:00 PM – Stroll a charming Chandler mansion, then settle in for afternoon tea featuring lavender farm blends, delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones, and decadent desserts. It is the classiest Kyrene detour you will take all year. Tables book as a group, ages 12+, reserve at thelavenderfarms.com.

🏺 Clay Mosaic Bowl Workshop @ Tempe Center for the Arts | Saturday (3/14) at 3:30 PM – This hands-on workshop makes a mosaic bowl your keys will finally respect, with air-dry clay, natural textures, and all the tiny shiny bits. It’s free, no registration, and leans equal parts tradition, creativity, and bragging rights. Low stress, high satisfaction, and totally counter-worthy.

🐕 Treasure Box II Family Market @ Flatiron Community Park (Apache Junction) | Sunday (3/15) at 9:00 AM – Whether your dog thinks it’s a tiny torpedo or you’re just here for chili, Apache Junction’s hosting dachshund and corgi races, plus a vendor market, live music, and food trucks. Five bucks per heat or to taste and vote, benefiting The Barking Lot Dog Rescue.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/13 Lucky 13th Happy Hour @ The Way Station Tempe – 5:00 PM
• 3/13 JesterZ Improv Comedy Show @ JesterZ Improv Comedy (Gilbert) – 6:30 PM
• 3/14 Superstition Festival @ Gilbert Civic Center – 12:00 PM
• 3/14 Sunset Drum Circle @ Sunset Library (Chandler) – 2:00 PM
• 3/14 Rockin’ & Rollin’ through the Years @ Barleens Dinner Show (Apache Junction) – 6:00 PM
• 3/15 The Fray @ Ostrich Festival (Chandler)
• 3/15 St. Patrick’s Day Party @ Starz American Bar and Grill (Mesa) – 1:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 East Valley report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 93°F – Low: 60°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 93. East southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 92°F – Low: 58°F – Precip: 0%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. South southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

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