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

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Celebrity spirits festival with Joe Mantegna, A5 Wagyu at BOA Steakhouse, and Cirque Kalabanté + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Scottsdale 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

Taste with stars and makers: At We-Ko-Pa’s Celebrity Wine and Spirits Festival in Scottsdale on March 21, Joe Mantegna will present Señor Río Tequila. Tickets from $85, with $1 per bottle benefiting We Care Crusade — get all the festival details.

Exclusive Four Sixes partnership: BOA Steakhouse will open early this summer at Waterfront’s Southbridge, bringing A5 Wagyu, a raw bar, and chef Brendan Collins, marking IDG’s return to Arizona after more than a decade — get all the opening details.

Inspiration behind striking artworks: The Sonoran Arts League and The Holland Center are showcasing local talent in the Amazing Artist series, featuring glass artist Sandy Pendleton and metal sculptor Carlos Page. Reservations are $10 — read the full story.

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:

• Celebrate cat art with adoptable kitties
• Experience Mahler, Sibelius, and new American overture
• Donate blood at Harley-Davidson Scottsdale
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Deck dreams, delivered: From wood decks to pergolas and patio covers built for the Scottsdale sun, Project Construction LLC handles design, permits, and construction, minus the headaches. We make outdoor spaces match your weekend plans and, yes, your dog’s standards.

Seafood under Scottsdale: Tucked literally underground, Salt Cellar Restaurant perfects a nostalgic, low-lit vibe and serves seriously fresh seafood, from oysters to Maine lobster, alongside a cozy bar built for lingering. When the week needs a lift, this local staple feels special without the fuss.

Artful gift upgrade: Pop into The Store @ the Center for artist-made jewelry, ceramics, and design-forward finds from across Arizona, perfect for last-minute gifting or a treat-yourself moment. Support Scottsdale Arts while discovering pieces that bring real joy to your home, all with an easy, browse-worthy vibe.

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.

🎨 Tempe Festival of the Arts @ Bigfoots Cabin | Friday (3/13) at 12:00 AM – If you need an excuse to loiter on Mill Avenue, the Tempe Festival of the Arts is back with artists, live music, and dangerously good street eats. Even Bigfoots Cabin is popping up, so bring comfy shoes and your ‘treat yourself’ budget.

🚗 Goodguys Car Show @ Westworld Of Scottsdale | Friday (3/13) at 8:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to stare at chrome until your neck hurts, this is it. Goodguys brings the Spring Nationals to WestWorld, packed with pristine builds, rumbling V8s, and enough garage talk to make your HOA nervous.

🧘 Scottsdale Yoga Fest @ Scottsdale Civic Center | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Scottsdale Civic Center’s Center Lawn turns into a mat forest as the Vikara Yoga Community hosts its yoga fest, courtesy of Banner Health. Stretch, breathe, chat with neighbors, then reward yourself with coffee, because balance counts even when you nailed tree pose for six seconds.

☘ St. Patrick’s Party @ Mesa Market Place Swap Meet | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Celebrate St. Paddy’s at Mesa Market Place with a morning raffle for Market Money, D-Backs swag, and a 55-inch TV that might outshine your living room. Electric Blue DJ, kid coloring, and four food specials, because nothing says Irish like a Reuben and peach pie.

🛍 East Valley Outdoor Native Market @ The Chahaoh (Mesa) | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Spend a Saturday wandering Mesa’s East Valley Outdoor Native Market, a showcase of Native American artists, makers, and creators. Pick up beadwork, pottery, or prints, chat with the people who made them, then treat yourself to frybread, because carbs, conversation, and culture play nicely together.

🏺 Clay Mosaic Bowl Workshop @ Tempe Center For The Arts | Saturday (3/14) at 4:30 PM – If your shelves need less clutter and more showpieces, here’s a free clay mosaic bowl workshop that delivers. Play with color, texture, and little treasures in air dry clay, turning a humble bowl into functional art, equal parts tradition, creativity, and brag. Just show up.

🎪 Cirque Kalabanté: Afrique en Cirque @ Tempe Center for the Arts | Saturday (3/14) at 8:30 PM – Forget the cotton-candy clown show. This is Cirque Kalabanté, a burst of Afro-Jazz, Guinean dance, and absurdly strong humans flipping to djembe and kora, all color and heartbeat. You will clap, grin, and feel your hamstrings tighten in sympathy, then brag you saw it here.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/13 Cartographer @ Pho Cao Restaurant and Bar – 6:00 PM
• 3/13 Kei Voorhees’ Friday the 13th Memorial @ Pho Cao – 6:00 PM
• 3/14 Spring Concert @ Saint Anthony on the Desert – 3:00 PM
• 3/14 Tanner Olson and more @ Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church – Mountain View Campus – 5:30 PM
• 3/14 The Magic of Motown @ Mesa Arts Center – 8:30 PM
• 3/15 Sunday Fun Day @ Pat O’s Bunkhouse (Phoenix) – 12:00 AM
• 3/15 The Process Lab @ Neighborhood Comedy Theatre (Mesa) – 3:30 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Scottsdale report

Weather forecast

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

Sunny, with a high near 92. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. North wind 0 to 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 91°F – Low: 57°F – Precip: 0%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. South southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

This house is wild

Set on a Mirabel Golf Club lot with sweeping course and Continental Mountains views, this Lineage Custom Home pairs an open plan with retractable glass walls to patios. A chef’s kitchen touts Wolf/Sub-Zero, a coffee station, and a pantry with second fridge. Highlights include a cantina, resort pool and spa, two-room casita, and a lift-ready 10-car garage. Completion May 2026.

Take a peek inside →

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