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Hi East Valley, we made it to Thursday!
In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Garmin expands aircraft testing, Trisha Yearwood acoustic evening, and a new baseball museum + plenty of reasons to put on real pants 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.
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📰 In the news
Infrastructure boost for avionics: Garmin has acquired a hangar and office complex at Mesa Gateway Airport, expanding aircraft certification and flight testing capacity and providing space for about 75 employees in Mesa’s aviation hub — see how Garmin is expanding.
Skincare brand enters Phoenix market: FACE FOUNDRIÉ will open at SanTan Village in Gilbert on March 13, bringing its first Arizona studio to East Valley with focused facials and add-ons, plus more locations planned — get all the details.
Unearthing a diamond legacy: Arizona’s first baseball museum opened in Mesa on February 21, showcasing more than a century of the game with photos, memorabilia, and stories, including spring training roots and Arizona milestones — see what’s on display.
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:
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🐾 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.
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🫶 We got your back
Old-school burger fix: When you want a no-frills, mesquite-grilled patty with Tempe nostalgia, The Chuckbox delivers. Expect smoky char, onion rings that vanish fast, and a cash-only vibe that somehow makes everything taste better. Classic, unfussy, and perfect for a low-key midweek treat.
Roll into your week: Skateland Chandler keeps the good vibes spinning with DJ nights, themed skates, and a roomy arcade for off-rink breaks. New or rusty? Lessons and friendly floor guards help you glide again, so your week rolls smoother and your playlist sounds better on eight wheels.
Meet your neighborhood dinos: Swap doomscrolling for wonder at the Arizona Museum of Natural History, with roaring dinos, a walk-through flash flood, and gold panning that turns adults into kids again. It’s a low-stress, high-delight way to slip science into your week.
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.
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📆 East Valley for grown ups
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.
🧵 APQS Road Show: Longarm Experience @ Holiday Inn Express & Suites Gilbert – Mesa Gateway Airport | Thursday (3/5) at 12:00 PM – Thinking about graduating from the dining room table to a longarm? Swing by the APQS Road Show in Mesa for a free, hands-on test drive, model comparisons, table options, discounts, and financing help. Quilting for grandkids or a side hustle, those stitches are dangerously smooth.
🌿 Plant Clinic @ Chandler Nature Center | Thursday (3/5) at 6:00 PM – Whether your fiddle leaf is collapsing theatrically or that volunteer looks suspicious, the plant doctor is in. This free, drop-in clinic pairs you with trained staff and a Master Gardener for diagnoses and IDs, no overwatering lectures. Bring photos, soil gossip, or the plant itself.
🌙 Once Upon a Night Market @ Gilbert Arts Academy | Friday (3/6) at 5:30 PM – Nothing beats a night market where the kids glue glitter, you sample bites, and your to-be-read pile grows by three. Local vendors, authors, crafts, and hands-on fun, all free and neighborly. Come browse, snack, chat, and pretend this counts as decluttering.
🎸 Trisha Yearwood @ Chandler Center for the Arts | Friday (3/6) at 7:30 PM – Trisha Yearwood returns for an intimate acoustic evening, bringing her new album, The Mirror, to life with Leslie Satcher, Bridgette Tatum, and the hits you still know by heart. Living room vibes, better acoustics, no casserole required, and members get first dibs on tickets.
🚮 Bulldog Canyon Hackamore Cleanup @ Bulldog Canyon | Saturday (3/7) at 7:00 AM – Nothing beats giving the desert a little TLC with folks who actually get why we live here. Pitch in at Bulldog Canyon’s Hackamore entrance, with supplies and trash haul-off provided, then enjoy a free volunteer lunch. Bring your rig, sunscreen, and your good neighbor energy.
🎗 5th Annual Get Your Rear in Gear 5K Run/Walk @ Freestone Park | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 AM – Take a brisk lap around Freestone Park for the 5th Annual Get Your Rear in Gear 5K, supporting colon cancer awareness and care. It’s a family-friendly run or walk, with a Kid’s Fun Run, a virtual option, and survivors registering free, because priorities, people.
⚰ Double Butte Cemetery Tour @ Tempe Double Butte Cemetery | Sunday (3/8) at 11:00 AM – Whether you remember Mill Ave parking or just want a ghost-free stroll, take a free self-guided wander at Double Butte. Meet five Tempe women as docents share stories at marked graves, wear sturdy shoes, and for the love of sanity, carpool.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 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.
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📻 East Valley report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 80°F – Low: 47°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 80. South southwest wind 0 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 47. Northwest wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 73°F – Low: 47°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 73. South southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. North northeast wind 0 to 5 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
Built in 1883, historic Farmer-Goodwin House is a Tempe treasure, a Georgian Revival adobe dubbed the grandest house in the Valley and home to ASU’s first principal. A symmetrical plan, central staircase, lime-plastered walls, and a hipped roof with ten dormers set the tone. On a half acre, it includes a separate studio and four bedrooms plumbed for ensuite baths.
Take a peek inside →
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