Happy holidays, East Valley. In today’s edition: AI data center rejected, water rates could jump 25%, a floating nap under the stars, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Support education, arts, and youth: Tempe Diablos is urging local nonprofits to apply by Dec. 31, 2025 as applications are only 30% of last year. Grants will support community impact and distribute over $650,000 — see when to apply.

Supersized tech facility proposal: Chandler City Council voted unanimously this month to reject rezoning for a $2 billion AI data center after neighborhood opposition. The New York developer’s plan targeted a vacant site — read the full story.

Big utility decision ahead: Gilbert Town Council began the process to raise water, waste and recycling rates, with water hikes up to 25% possible. Options pending review, a decision to follow outreach and hearing — see options and timing.

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.

Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since January. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.

*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!

Highlights this week

• Plunge to fund swim lessons
• Experience New Year’s car and bike show
• Hands-on art takes over Mill Avenue
• Night tour reveals Chateau de Vie mysteries
• Explore Mesa’s Ponderosa II and mid-century gems
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is 30% off

🫶 We got your back

Bold tacos, fresh start: SALT Sea & Land Tacos, once a food truck and later the in-house kitchen at Tempe’s Catalyst Crafted Ales in 2024, has opened its own spot at Sossaman and Guadalupe in southeast Mesa. Expect eight kinds of tacos from pork adobado to octopus, plus tostadas. See what’s on the menu.

Boosting personalized pharmacy capacity: Strive Pharmacy announced a 350,000 square foot headquarters and advanced compounding facility in southeast Mesa, one of the nation’s largest pharmacy infrastructure investments. The $7 million project brings 500 jobs, expands production, and adds to more than 700,000 square feet of national operations next year. Get all the details.

Cocktails without the fuss: Crave a low-key upgrade this week? The Brickyard Downtown shakes up imaginative cocktails with chef-made, seasonal shareables in historic downtown Chandler. Settle into a relaxed, slightly fancy vibe that fits date night or that long-overdue friend catch-up… the one that keeps getting bumped.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now + you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.

📆 Around town this weekend

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

Today

🎭 Variety Spectacular @ Barleens Dinner Show | Friday (12/26) at 6:00 PM – Nothing beats live music with a proper meal, and Barleens delivers the full spread. Country favorites, rock and roll, blues, boogie woogie, pop, and a little gospel, played by ringers while you tuck into dinner. Bring friends, and pretend chair dancing counts as cardio.

🎨 Outside the Line @ Monastery Mesa | Friday (12/26) at 7:00 PM – Remember when coloring outside the lines felt rebellious? Outside the Line is the grown-up version, a playful, hands-on art hang where adults make a mess on purpose. Expect bright ideas, bolder strokes, and zero judgment.

This weekend

🌃 Saturday Nights @ Streetside Classics – Phoenix | Saturday (12/27) at 3:00 AM – Take a spin over to Streetside Classics for Saturday night car talk and chrome therapy. Low-key meetup where all makes, models, and questionable aftermarket spoilers are welcome. Free if you pre-register at streetsideclassics.com/events/484, and the parking-lot stories are half the fun.

🎉 See U Saturday @ Chateau de Vie | Saturday (12/27) at 9:00 AM – Chandler’s Lavender Farm is in full holiday mode, so come shop, tour, and actually relax for once. Expect 11-plus Christmas trees, stained glass, and a guided peek at the mansion’s secrets, restoration, and love story. $20, limited tickets, arrive a bit early like a pro.

🎾 Mixed Doubles 3 Hour Round Robin Tournament @ Gene Autry Park | Saturday (12/27) at 9:00 AM – Spinning a three hour mixed doubles round robin, this tournament packs steady play, rotating partners, and just enough friendly smack talk to keep it interesting. Come for cardio disguised as social time, stay for bragging rights, laughs, and proof your backhand still has opinions.

🎊 Noon Year’s Eve Party @ Freestone Recreation Center | Saturday (12/27) at 10:00 AM – Skip the midnight chaos and celebrate at Freestone’s Noon Year’s Eve, complete with a rock wall, bingo, crafts, cookie decorating, and a balloon drop at noon, plus an apple cider toast. It’s free, no sign-up needed, and 6 and 12 month memberships are 20% off.

😴 Floating Nap @ Skyline Aquatic Center | Saturday (12/27) at 5:00 PM – Park the phone and indulge in an hour of sanctioned laziness at Skyline Pool, floating on your own board beneath the Superstitions while a Native American flutist, crystal bowls, and chimes realign your frazzled brain. Blanket, eye mask, breathwork included, $40. Sign up at desertpadleboards.com.

🎶 Rockin’ & Rollin’ through the Years @ Barleens Dinner Show | Saturday (12/27) at 6:00 PM – If you remember when radios had knobs, this one’s for you. Barleens serves dinner with a time-travel soundtrack, cruising from 1955 to 1984 with a tight band, familiar anthems, and plenty of sing-along moments. Grab seats, dust off your air guitar, and enjoy.

Next week

🎆 2026 New Year’s Eve Party @ On The Green Sports Grill | Wednesday (12/31) at 9:00 PM – If your idea of a countdown includes clinking actual glassware, head to OTG for New Year’s Eve. Tripwire keeps the room lively, the $20 reserved seats come with champagne, and the $10 door gets you in without pretending you still love crowded hotel ballrooms.

🎆 New Year’s Eve! @ Skyhaven Estates | Wednesday (12/31) at 9:00 PM – Kick off New Year’s with the Snowbirds for ten bucks, BYOB, and a buffet only the Upper Midwest could dream up. The band’s back, it’s always a hoot, and the hotdish is serious. Message for the gate code, then act surprised at dessert salad.

👧 First Day Kids Hike @ Lost Dutchman State Park | Thursday (1/1) at 9:00 AM – Start the year with a kid-friendly 1.5-mile hike, fresh air, and the bargaining power of snacks. It’s $20 per family, park entry included, capped at 10 families, little legs must walk, no strollers or dogs, online registration only, no walk-ups. Register at https://azstateparks.com/reserve/Activities/Search.aspx.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

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

• 12/27 Band of Fools @ Local Legends – 2:00 PM
• 12/27 Live Music with FN Unplugged @ Handlebar Pub & Grill – 6:00 PM
• 12/27 BadJune @ Monastery Mesa – 7:00 PM
• 12/28 A Celebration of Kevin Daly @ Yucca Tap Room – 4:30 PM
• 1/3 Skarlett Fever Rockin’ Birthday Party and more @ Icons Sports Grill – 8:00 PM
• 1/3 Live Music with Bad June @ First Water Cocktail Bar – 8:00 PM
• 1/9 The Limeliters @ Apache Junction Performing Arts Center – 7:00 PM
• 1/10 AC/DC vs Ozzy @ Marquee Theatre Tempe – 6:30 PM
• 1/11 Queen Creek Olive Mill @ Queen Creek Olive Mill – 2:00 PM
• 1/11 Sixtiesmania @ Chandler Center for the Arts – 3:00 PM

🏠 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: Stacia Ehlen (RE/MAX Signature)

Former David Weekley model pairs modern elegance with standout upgrades, from stone accents and a front courtyard to 10-foot ceilings. A 16-foot sliding glass wall anchors the great room with wood beams and integrated audio, opening to a chef’s kitchen with gas cooking, wall oven, granite, upgraded cabinetry, and a built-in beverage center. A three-car tandem garage provides additional storage.

The primary suite adds a 3-foot extension and wood barn doors framing a spa bath with a rain shower and soaking tub. Outdoors brings a pergola, built-in BBQ, fire feature, and a beach-entry pool. The Bridges puts lakes, playgrounds, and Gilbert Regional Park within reach.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →