Happy Tuesday, East Valley. In today’s edition: What’s ahead for Gold Canyon, Tempe festival of the arts, tumbleweed tree lighting and parade of lights, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

What’s ahead for Gold Canyon: Gold Canyon Community Inc. hosted a November HOA Summit where officials covered 2026 fire and traffic plans, proposed industrial projects, Dark Skies code updates, and countywide multiuse trail planning — read the full story.

Strong partnerships fuel growth: Mekong Plaza in Mesa’s Asian District recently completed a $10 million expansion, adding 32,000 square feet, 12 new businesses, and 200 jobs, including restaurants Haidilao Hot Pot and Udon Shin — get all the expansion details.

Amenities and leasing details: Creation has broken ground on a six-acre project in Tempe with buildings totaling over 120,000 square feet. Pacific Office Automation will anchor 75,000-square-foot headquarters. Completion is expected in late 2026 — get all the project details.

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.

Scams are rampant: My step-dad recently got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.

Highlights this week

• Explore 350+ artists in Downtown Tempe
• Rock tribute concert fuels toy drive
• Celebrate Chandler’s Tumbleweed Tree lighting
• Ride the Polar Express with Santa
• Explore Mesa’s festive Christmas night market
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

New chapter for the chain: Johnny Rockets is bringing a new spot to Chandler Fashion Center in early 2026, marking the chain’s sixth Phoenix-area location. Franchise owner Richard “Rip” Riva also acquired the Arizona Mills restaurant in Tempe. Expect retro diner staples: made-to-order burgers, hand-spun shakes, and a feel-good vibe rolling across the Valley. Get all the details.

City Council greenlights changes: Chandler will extend but trim its water conservation rebates starting Jan. 1, 2026, to stretch funding. The single-family grass removal rebate drops from $2.00 to $1.50 per square foot, while large landscape caps fall to $20,000. The water-efficient technology rebate is also extended with tightened funding and clearer installation cost policies. Get all the details.

Chihuahua-style burritos, anyone? Meet Tacos Chiwas, a family-run spot rolling burritos on handmade flour tortillas. Go picadillo or deshebrada, red or green. Consider it a midweek reward, comforting and straightforward… exactly what your brain wants when cooking feels optional.

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.

Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.

📆 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

👻 History Bites: Ghosts of Christmas Past @ Chandler Museum | Tuesday (12/2) at 12:00pm – Trade your inbox for a 30-minute trip through Chandler Christmases as Museum Manager Jody Crago revisits Sears catalogs, first spins on the family stereo, and the saga of Aunt Susan’s fruitcake. Bring takeout, park it, and enjoy a bite-sized history talk made for grown-ups.

🌽 Shucked @ ASU Gammage | Wednesday (12/3) at 7:30pm – Shucked is serving up a Tony-winning musical comedy that’s cornier than the county fair, and somehow actually hilarious. From Robert Horn, Brandy Clark, and Shane McAnally, directed by Jack O’Brien, expect sharp songs, big laughs, and the rare moment when even economists giggle.

🍬 Peppermint Lane Winter Market @ Peppermint Lane Boutique | Thursday (12/4) at 9:00am – Visit the Peppermint Lane Winter Market in Gilbert, a three-day holiday stroll of local makers, cozy cocoa, and genuine seasonal cheer. Free entry, plenty of gifts and stocking stuffers, plus $1,500 in giveaways. The market has a new Gilbert location, so plan ahead for parking.

🎁 Winter Artisans Gift Market @ The Holland Center | Friday (12/5) at 10:00am – Skip the mall and head to The Holland Center for a free indoor market featuring juried, handcrafted gifts. Meet the makers, browse one-of-a-kind jewelry, glass, and art, bid on themed trees benefiting a good cause, and enjoy the Youth Market, workshops, a raffle, and convenient parking.

🎨 Tempe Festival of the Arts @ Downtown Tempe | Friday (12/5) at 10:00am – Nothing says Tempe in the fall like strolling Mill Ave with a Four Peaks in hand, browsing work from 350-plus juried artists. Expect live music, chalk art, wine and spirits tastings, and a kid zone to keep the little ones happily occupied. It’s a community favorite for a reason.

This weekend

✨ Energy Healing Conference @ Hilton Garden Inn Tempe | Saturday (12/6) at 8:00am – Think a tune-up for your energy might beat a pricey massage? Tempe hosts a one-day conference at Hilton Garden Inn with dynamic speakers, hands-on workshops, and healing sessions, welcoming newbies and seasoned practitioners alike. Come for the calm, stay for the community, leave lighter.

🎄 Christmas at Petersen House @ Petersen House Museum | Saturday (12/6) at 11:00am – If you’ve been waiting for a way to enjoy the festive season without braving crowded shopping centers, visit Tempe’s Victorian Petersen House. The setting features Danish holiday décor, free admission and self-guided tours, light refreshments, entertainment, and a pop-up museum store so you can pick up thoughtful holiday gifts.

🎸 13th Annual Rockin’ for Kids Toy Drive @ The Monastery | Saturday (12/6) at 2:00pm – Head to The Monastery for the 13th annual rock-for-toys event, featuring Strangeland, AZ Z Top, and Led Zepplified. Admission is a new, unwrapped toy, batteries included if needed. Family-friendly fun earlier in the day, followed by evening sets, plus raffles and a great cause at the center of it all.

🎄 Tumbleweed Tree Lighting & Parade of Lights @ Downtown Chandler | Saturday (12/6) at 4:30pm – Only in Chandler do we ring in the holidays with a tumbleweed dressed to the nines and a parade that glows brighter than your neighbor’s inflatable snowman. Head downtown for the Tumbleweed Tree lighting, the Parade of Lights, Santa, and plenty of small-town cheer.

🎬 El Tonto Por Cristo @ Pollack Cinemas | Sunday (12/7) at 7:00pm – Skip the multiplex for a thoughtful one-night screening near Phoenix, following monks on the Texas Gulf Coast as they explore their spiritual journey. The director will host a Q&A afterward; seats are limited, and it’s a unique chance to engage with the creative process behind the film.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/3 Rivest Dunlam & Friends @ Tempe Improv – 7:30 pm
• 12/3 Shucked @ ASU Gammage – 7:30 pm
• 12/4 Shelly Belly @ Mic Drop Comedy – 7 pm
• 12/5 Ingested @ The Rosetta Room – 5:30 pm
• 12/5 Ryan Hamilton @ Tempe Improv – 6:30 pm
• 12/5 The Improvised Musical @ Neighborhood Comedy Theatre – 7:30 pm
• 12/7 Alice Wetterlund @ Tempe Improv – 6 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Cherry Johnston (72SOLD)

5-bed, 4-bath retreat in Tonto Forest Estates on the edge of Tonto National Forest, with mountain views of Usery Pass and the Superstitions. Inside, fresh paint, tile, and a chef’s kitchen with Sub-Zero and Wolf. Primary bath adds a freestanding soaker and herringbone tile.

Resort yard, infinity edge pool with swim-up bar, sunken outdoor kitchen, and patio facing the ranges. A 342 square foot detached casita flexes as art or office studio. Four car insulated garage with epoxy floors and EV charging, in a gated community with access to Saguaro and Canyon Lakes, the Salt River, freeways, and airports.

Take a peek inside →