|
Subscribe | Get featured
Happy weekend, East Valley!
In today’s happening-today edition: Arizona tea houses worth a sip, ASU Police test electric patrol trucks, and sing along with The Fray + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor (Money.com) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.
|
📰 In the news
Hidden havens for serene sipping: A recent roundup spotlights 12 Arizona tea houses, with standouts close to home like Drink Me! Tea Room in Tempe and TeaTime Scottsdale, plus The Pink Door in Glendale — check out the full lineup.
Innovation drives campus safety: ASU Police are testing two electric patrol trucks in 24/7 service on the Tempe campus, a six-month pilot underway to gauge performance that could shape fleet upgrades for other agencies — learn how the pilot works.
New pressures reshape water planning: Western cities are spending big to secure water as supplies shrink. In our backyard, Queen Creek approved a $244 million deal to tap the Harquahala basin and diversify its supply — get all the details.
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.
Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.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 all that up – learn more here.
Highlights this week:
|
🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?
Together with our sponsor Money.com
Auto insurance premiums have been climbing across the country… and most folks won’t notice until it’s time to renew and they’re hit with a higher bill.
The frustrating part? Loyalty rarely gets rewarded. Insurers adjust prices constantly, and new customers often qualify for better rates than long-time policyholders.
I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.
This free comparison tool lets you check rates from multiple insurers in just a few minutes. It costs nothing to look, and it could save you hundreds this year.
|
🫶 We got your back
A quick dose of color: Does your week need a reset? Downtown Mesa Mural, Lauren Lee’s blooming desert burst, turns an ordinary block into a mini mood lift. A short stroll pairs with a deeper breath, and maybe a small treat from a nearby spot, for an easy pick-me-up.
Stitch inspo, unlocked: Hooks and needles feeling blah? At Tempe Yarn & Fiber, color-drenched shelves, Dyelicious hand-dyed skeins, and welcoming classes turn “someday” projects into “actually happening.” Inspiration tends to do the browsing for you, and your next cast-on usually finds you between the skeins.
Hops meet curiosity: At The Sleepy Whale, beer nerds and casual sippers find a constantly rotating taplist of craft beer, plus thoughtful wine and mead. The board changes often, and bartenders happily guide guests to new favorites that suit any mood and palate.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
|
🤝 Support our community partner
Our Community Partners make BaseLocal possible. We only work with local businesses we believe in — here’s one we think you’ll love.
|
Community Partner
|
Desert Mirage is a beautiful apartment community in Gilbert offering one, two, and three bedroom apartment homes, ideal for residents seeking comfortable layouts and a pleasant residential atmosphere.
Visit Desert Mirage
|
|
📆 Around town today & tomorrow
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.
🚮 Bulldog Canyon Hackamore Cleanup @ Bulldog Canyon (Apache Junction) | 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.
🏃 Umom 5K Run/1K Walk and Block Party @ SRP PERA Club (Gilbert) | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 AM – Trade your weekend errands for a 5K run or 1K walk at the SRP PERA Club, then stick around for a brunch block party with games, bounce houses, arts and crafts. Good cause, decent cardio, all supporting UMOM’s mission to end family homelessness. Register: https://www.umom.org/events/2026-5k
🐰 Bunny Hop @ ASU Chandler Innovation Center | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Bring a basket, dress the kids like bunnies, and let them hop table to table collecting goodies while you soak up that Chandler sun. It’s free, no tickets or sign-ups, just crafts, music, giveaways, and the kind of cheerful chaos they’ll crash-nap after.
🚗 12th Annual COPs Classics and Customs Car Show @ Poston Butte High School (San Tan Valley) | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Think you can spot a true classic without popping the hood? The 12th annual classics and customs car show at Poston Butte High School is your playground, with chrome, chatter, and lawn chair diplomacy. Swing by San Tan Valley, swap stories, admire paint, repeat.
🛍 Family Market @ Radiance Clubhouse (San Tan Valley) | Saturday (3/7) at 4:00 PM – East Valley’s only night market lands in Apache Junction with food trucks, local vendors, and prime after-dark people-watching. Expect good eats, easy browsing, and family-friendly energy without the sugar rush. It is off the 60 and 24, so getting there is painless.
🕵 Clue Night @ Chateau de Vie (Chandler) | Saturday (3/7) at 6:00 PM – Dress Roaring 1920s, or come as you are, then snoop through Chateau de Vie for a live Clue-style whodunit. Teams of four hunt clues, nibble snacks and desserts, and accuse friends with alarming confidence. Limited spots, so book together if you want to stick together.
⚰ 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 →
|
🔥 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.
|
📻 East Valley report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 78°F – Low: 53°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 78. East wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
—
Tomorrow – High: 88°F – Low: 58°F – Precip: 3%
Sunny, with a high near 88. East wind around 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. East northeast wind 0 to 5 mph.
Something in your house is about to break 🏠
It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major system and appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’re staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast.
It never happens at a convenient time, and most homeowners just eat the cost because they don’t realize there’s a better option.
American Home Shield covers repairs and replacements on most of your home’s major systems and appliances — old or new, no inspection required.
The best part? Select plans are 50% off now through March 9th.
This house is wild
This 5-bed, 4-bath single-story in a gated Chandler community pairs modern polish with tree-lined streets and walking trails. A chef’s kitchen stars black stainless appliances, quartz counters, an island with prep sink, and three ovens. The Owner’s suite overlooks a fountain-fed pool. Outside are covered patios, a heated pool and spa, a pergola with built-in BBQ, and putting greens.
Take a peek inside →
|
 |
Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
|
|
Shout out to our BaseLocal Community Partners! If you love this newsletter, show your support by checking them out here. Each of our community partners are vetted, verified, and highly recommended!
|
|
|
|
