Happy Friday, Scottsdale. In today’s edition: A second act in Scottsdale, ZooLights, Glistening Gardens, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

A second act in Scottsdale: Former Scottsdale mayor Sam Campana, the city’s first female mayor, has reinvented herself as an Old Town tour guide, sharing history and public art insights shaped by years of leadership — read the full story.

New delivery option arrives: DoorDash has launched autonomous grocery delivery with Waymo in metro Phoenix via DashMart. Customers across a 315-square-mile area can choose self-driving drop-off and unlock the trunk using the app — see where it’s available.

Consumer watchdog takes aim: Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes sued Temu and parent PDD Holdings, alleging consumer fraud, counterfeit goods, secret data harvesting, undelivered items, deceptive pricing, and refusal to issue refunds — see what’s in the lawsuit.

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

• Explore Glistening Gardens at Butterfly Wonderland
• See The Haunt’s energetic band performance
• Celebrate Scottsdazzle at Gold Palette ArtWalk
• Enjoy free family holiday fun with Santa
• Enjoy comedy from Jessie Jetski Johnson live
• See why December’s the best time to try new hearing aids
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%

🫶 We got your back

Inside a buzzy debut: Funky Frida’s, a neon-bright Mexican cantina from the O.H.S.O. team, opened in mid-October at Indian School and 48th Street. Expect margaritas, complimentary chips and salsa, and a menu from fajitas and pollo fundido to Friday-only pozole and a standout chile de pueblo. Patio, TVs, and color galore. See photos and first impressions.

A bright new gathering place: Sophia’s, a midcentury-modern brunch cafe from brothers Dave and chef Aaron Chamberlin (Taco Chelo), is set to open in midtown Phoenix this month on Thomas near Seventh Street. Expect a seed oil-free, locally minded menu with playful hits like breakfast fried rice and a schnitzel-Caesar mashup. Get all the details.

Brewed here, poured fresh: In Old Town, Goldwater Brewing Co. pours house hits like Desert Rose cactus kölsch and Machine Gun Teddy brown ale alongside rotating releases. The vibe’s easygoing, family- and dog-friendly, with food trucks often parked outside, or bring your own takeout and settle in.

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 that targets regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify your identity 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 weekend

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.

Today

😂 Mainstage Improv Comedy Show @ The Bridge Improv Theater | Friday (12/5) at 7:00pm – Ready for real laughs? Six quick-witted pros spin games, scenes, and stories out of thin air in a one-hour improv sprint, all made up on the spot. Grab dinner at Rito’s, then wander across to Bridge Improv Theater at Mesa Riverview.

🎭 The Musical Catering Company presents: The Improvised Musical @ Neighborhood Comedy Theatre | Friday (12/5) at 7:30pm – An improvised musical from The Musical Catering Company means the plot, the harmonies, and your laughter are made up on the spot. Think quick wit meets show tunes, no cringe required. Bring a sense of humor, an open tab, and your inner theater kid.

This weekend

✨ Energy Healing Conference – Tempe, AZ @ Hilton Garden Inn Tempe | Saturday (12/6) at 8:00am – Spend a full day tapping into transformative healing, hands-on workshops, and soul-expanding sessions led by seasoned practitioners. Whether you’re just energy-curious or deep in your holistic era, this conference dishes out guidance, connection, and a serious boost to your personal growth journey. Come ready to learn, recharge, and meet your new favorite like-minded humans.

🐾 Sacred Paws: Paint and Cacao Holiday Fundraiser @ Casa Luna Collective | Saturday (12/6) at 1:00pm – Whether you paint like Bob Ross or still draw stick dogs, this holiday shindig serves cacao, blank canvases, and big-hearted vibes to benefit Alone No More Dog Rescue. Sip, swirl, and support the pups, because goodwill looks better with paint under your nails.

🍷 Seasonal Sips: A Holiday Wine Tasting @ Shea Cheese Lounge | Saturday (12/6) at 4:00pm – Holiday hosting calls for a little research, so come pre-game the season with a laid-back wine tasting that actually helps with pairings. Taste festive pours, find the bottle that flatters ham, latkes, and pie, then act like you planned it all along.

🙏 Sacred Sunday @ ReVibeU Wellness Spa | Sunday (12/7) at 11:00am – Consider this your Sunday tune-up, a co-ed monthly reset that lifts the spirit and upgrades your self-care. Expect breath, reflection, and tools you will actually use, plus a calm you might keep until Monday, no incense required.

🎤 59 X Fest @ The Rebel Lounge | Sunday (12/7) at 2:30pm – A stacked lineup of emerging artists is taking over The Rebel Lounge for an all-ages afternoon of indie, alt, and everything-in-between. With bands like CALL THE MOON, DINOSAUR COMPUTER, and LOVEYOUBYE., it’s basically your new playlist waiting to happen. Grab a cheap advance ticket and settle in for wall-to-wall vibes starting at 3.

👽 Alice Wetterlund: Darcy From “Resident Alien” @ Tempe Improv | Sunday (12/7) at 6:00pm – This stand-up set from Alice Wetterlund, yes, Darcy from Resident Alien, delivers sharp, weirdly relatable stories about life, work, and the weirder stuff. Less Comic-Con, more grown-up night out. Grab a seat, a drink, and your favorite eye-roll.

Next week

🌷 Glistening Gardens @ Butterfly Wonderland | Monday (12/8) at 9:00am – Craving holiday magic without wrestling lights or the desert’s dry air? Twinkling rainforest stroll at Butterfly Wonderland, with lush paths, butterflies doing the decorating, music, fairy cameos, and the occasional Santa on select days, all indoors, cozy, and perfect for grandkids, your inner nine-year-old.

🧘 Meditation Mondays @ THC @ The Healing Chamber | Monday (12/8) at 12:00pm – Mondays at The Healing Chamber are for guided meditation that helps you center, recharge, and stop negotiating with your calendar before lunch. Quiet space, comfy mats, steady breath, and the kind of reset your email filters can only dream of.

🦒 ZooLights @ Phoenix Zoo | Monday (12/8) at 5:30pm – Phoenix’s most beloved holiday tradition is back, glowing brighter than your neighbor’s overachieving lawn display. Wander through brand-new light installations, lanterns, and festive surprises—plus the rumored return of a fan favorite. It’s the perfect excuse to bundle up, sip cocoa, and get your sparkle fix.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/5 Ingested @ The Rosetta Room – 5:30 pm
• 12/6 Shucked @ ASU Gammage – 2 pm
• 12/10 Glistening Gardens @ Butterfly Wonderland – 9 am
• 12/11 Matt Friend @ Tempe Improv – 7:30 pm
• 12/12 Esteban’s Coming Home for the Holidays Concert @ Grand Hyatt Scottsdale – 7 pm
• 12/12 Mainstage Improv Comedy Show @ The Bridge Improv Theater – 7 pm
• 12/13 Rita Rudner @ Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts – 7:30 pm
• 12/14 Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra| A Season of Light @ Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts – 4 pm

🏠️ Price is right – Scottsdale 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: Peggy H Gascon (Realty ONE Group)

Mediterranean lines meet desert drama in this architect-designed perch with 180-degree city lights and native high-desert in every direction. Four bedrooms, three ensuite, and most rooms step straight to patios. A chef’s setup with six-burner gas, copper hood, two dishwashers, a full-size freezer pantry, and Downsview cabinetry. Chihuly glass in five spots and a Murano chandelier. Arrive over a bridge to custom doors, then a heated pool and spa over the skyline.

Long paver drive, four-car garage, and guarded gates. Tennis and pickleball, community ramada and spa, McDowell Preserve next door, 30 minutes to Sky Harbor and top-tier golf.

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