Happy Tuesday, East Valley. In today’s edition: Dave Koz & friends, cookies & cocoa with Santa, training flight noise debate, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Debate over training flights: Mesa residents decry noise and lead concerns from Falcon Field flights, citing over 424,000 flights. City cites federal limits and plans meetings as landing fee is considered in February — see what the city says.

Shelter project faces uncertainty: After Mesa’s council pulled a furnishing vote, advocates push to keep the Sunaire transitional housing project on track as a councilmember reviews procurement and construction still targets early next year — see why the vote was pulled.

Commuters face highway changes: ADOT raised the speed limit on SR 24 in the southeast Valley from 45 to 55 mph after a speed study. A six-lane upgrade is planned for 2027 — get details on changes and plans.

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.

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.

Highlights this week

• Experience GENTRI Christmas 10th anniversary show
• Free holiday fun at Chandler Community Center
• Marvel at Cirque Musica’s holiday acrobatics
• Donate blood at SanTan Village
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is 30% off

🫶 We got your back

A calmer holiday glow: On Dec. 15, the Phoenix Zoo hosted a sensory-friendly ZooLights, keeping the sparkle while dialing down triggers: smaller crowds, quieter music, and fewer flashing lights. Sensory stations and checkout bags were available, and favorites like camel rides, the carousel, and reserved Santa photos stayed open. Get all the details.

Public works improvements begin: Gilbert has begun a four-month water pipeline rehab on Higley Road from Guadalupe to Ray. Expect lane closures and turn restrictions. Valve work the week of Dec 15 may cause temporary brown water in nearby neighborhoods. The water is safe and should clear within hours. Brown water impacts are expected Dec 15–22 and again in April 2026. Get traffic and water details.

A Tempe movie night: Craving an easy movie night? Pollack Tempe Cinemas screens second-run favorites in a relaxed, family-friendly space with classic concessions: Dippin’ Dots, popcorn, the works. Pick a flick, sink into a seat, and let someone else handle the entertainment.

Hear me out: My mom’s been asking people to repeat themselves 5,281 times too many for years. She always avoided hearing aids like the plague — they’re clunky, obvious, expensive, not really worth it. I always thought “she’s not wrong” until I saw these new invisible hearing aids going viral. In the same boat? Now’s a great time to check them out before unused health benefits expire on the 31st.

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 week

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.

This week

🍷 Sip, Swirl & Sprinkle – Holiday Cookie Decorating & Wine Tasting@ Delta Hotels by Marriott Phoenix | Wednesday (12/17) at 6:00pm – Cookie decorating meets wine tasting, paired with a festive touch. Bring your steady hand, your favorite ugly sweater, and a relaxed attitude as you enjoy sips, laughs, and a bit of sugar therapy.

🎷 Dave Koz & Friends @ Mesa Arts Center | Wednesday (12/17) at 7:30pm – Think you know holiday music? Dave Koz’s annual Mesa Arts Center show brings Jonathan Butler, plus Haley Reinhart, Casey Abrams, and Kayla Waters. Swap mall carols for smooth sax, tight arrangements, and a night that feels like cocoa for grownups.

🎅 Cookies & Cocoa with Santa @ The Post | Thursday (12/18) at 6:00pm – If your holiday spirit could use a boost, Downtown Mesa has you covered. Bring the crew for cookies, cocoa, crafts, story time, and caroling, plus photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Expect plenty of family-friendly activity, sugar-fueled smiles, and a classic holiday setup.

🎄 A Very Merry Crackin Christmas Pop Up @ What’s Crackin Cafe | Friday (12/19) at 4:00pm – What’s Crackin’ Café turns into a cheerful holiday market, with Santa clocked in for $5 kid photos, local makers, and plenty of cozy sips and treats. Skip the mall chaos, grab gifts that aren’t from aisle nine, and call it festive efficiency.

🚗 Car Show and Holiday Bazaar @ Williams Field High School | Friday (12/19) at 5:00pm – Give your holiday errands a tune-up and drop by WFHS for a car show meets bazaar, with food trucks, carnival games, a photo booth, and vendors, all supporting boys soccer. Bring a ride to show, or just bring your gift list, and an appetite.

This weekend

🛍️ Vendor Market @ The Barn at Power Ranch | Saturday (12/20) at 8:00am – Kick off your morning with a stroll through a cozy community market packed with local vendors, handmade finds, and last-minute holiday treasures. Whether you’re hunting for gifts or just browsing with a warm drink in hand, it’s an easygoing way to start the day. Bonus: vendors set up early, so the vibes (and the good deals) start rolling before 10.

🏠 Santa’s House @ Dr. A.J. Chandler Park | Saturday (12/20) at 9:00am – Think your kids can keep it together in front of a celebrity? Santa’s at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park with free photos, wish list confessions, and no mall chaos. Bring the crew, nab the pic, then reward yourself with cocoa, a stroll, and smug parental pride.

❄️ Winter Solstice Soiree Day Retreat @ Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation | Saturday (12/20) at 3:00pm – On the solstice, swap mall chaos for a sister circle with cacao, crafting a crystal and herb candle, a sunset labyrinth walk, local goodies, and a candle-lighting ritual to drop the old year and welcome the new. Tickets $147, earlybird code MAGIC, prereg required.

🍪 Cookie Decorating Class-Beginners @ Roosevelt Water Conservation District | Saturday (12/20) at 6:00pm – Trade your store-bought sugar cookies for a beginner-friendly royal icing workshop, where you’ll learn to flood, outline, and feel oddly proud of sprinkles. Follow a live, step-by-step demo, decorate six beauties, then take them home to impress kids, neighbors, and yourself.

💄 Grinch Drag Brunch @ Tempe Improv | Sunday (12/21) at 12:00pm – The Grinch is trading Whoville for Tempe and serving holiday chaos with a fabulous twist. Expect campy Christmas glamour, iconic characters, and a few surprises courtesy of host Espressa Grandé. Bring your holiday spirit — and remember, there is a two-drink minimum, darling.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/16 Glistening Gardens @ Butterfly Wonderland – 9 am
• 12/16 Dueling Pianos @ Murphy’s Law – 6 pm
• 12/16 Jeffrey Siegel @ Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts – 7:30 pm
• 12/17 Bill Miles @ Aloft Scottsdale – 5 pm
• 12/17 Dave Koz & Friends @ Mesa Arts Center – 7:30 pm
• 12/17 A Christmas Carol @ Hale Centre Theatre – 8 pm
• 12/19 Pretty Cül’s @ Jolie’s Place – 9 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Marie Nowicki (West USA Realty)

This award-winning Blandford-built, resort-style lakefront home in The Islands masterplanned community claims a quarter-acre with panoramic water views and a private dock. 4 beds plus a den and 3 baths, with 2 bedrooms down and 2 up. The primary suite is supersized. A gourmet kitchen shows off granite counters, abundant cabinetry, and newer appliances, feeding an XXL great room. New roof, new AC. Castle vibes paired with low maintenance swagger.

Out back, the party writes itself. Putting green, built-in BBQ and fireplace zone, blue-glass firepit, and a sparkling pool, all framing those long lake views that steal the show.

Take a peek inside →