Hello East Valley! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Warner road widening, Beauty and the Beast, and Saturday night at the dinosaur stomp + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
East Valley growth push: Gilbert and Chandler plan to widen Warner Road, with Gilbert adding lanes, bike lanes and sidewalks between Recker and Power, while Chandler approved a $500,000 study of Price to McQueen -- see the Warner Road plan.
Summer perks downtown: Downtown Tempe’s Sidewalk Summer rewards shoppers who scan QR codes with points, swag and weekly giveaways. Enjoy summer discounts at participating spots while road work continues, running through August 2 -- see how to take part.
Transit-oriented living grows: Mesa City Council approved on Monday a 'car-light' Culdesac neighborhood near the Valley Metro light rail, bringing about 1,000 townhomes, with the first phase for sale and possible rentals later -- explore Mesa’s car-light plan.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Need a quick win: Claw Planet Arcade at Superstition Springs Center is your low-stakes, high-fun timeout, packed wall to wall with claw machines and instant-prize merch. Swing by between errands, load some tokens, test your aim, and trade bragging rights on the drive home.
Your midweek nature reset: Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is that close-to-home escape where the desert quietly shows off. Loop the ponds, spot ridiculous numbers of birds, let the kids dig for “fossils,” then stick around for stargazing vibes at the observatory… a low-stress way to recharge without leaving Gilbert.
Greener yard, zero guesswork: This week, let Whitfill Nursery help your East Valley garden thrive with a grower-direct selection of desert trees, cacti, and houseplants, plus an on-site greenhouse to wander. Need a hand planting or planning? They’ll deliver, install, and share down-to-earth landscape advice that actually works.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
💜 Thursday at the Lavender Farm @ Chateau de Vie (Chandler) | Thursday (6/25) at 9:00 AM – Head to the lavender farm on Kyrene for a guided stroll through Château de Vie, where ornate woodwork, stained glass, and a quietly dramatic love story steal the show. It’s preservation meets gossip, tickets are limited, and yes, tours actually start on time.
🏰 Beauty and the Beast @ ASU Gammage (Tempe) | Thursday (6/25) at 7:30 PM – Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is back in a 30th anniversary production, all the grand romance, chorus kicks, and storybook sparkle you remember. Bring the kids, the spouse, or your inner eight-year-old, and try not to out-sing the cast during Be Our Guest.
🦖 Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp @ Basha Library (Chandler) | Friday (6/26) at 11:00 AM – Nothing beats watching tiny T-rexes wear themselves out. Childsplay Theatre turns Carol Diggory Shields' Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp into an interactive romp for ages 3 to 5, with movement, pantomime, and creative play as little dinos roar, groove, and collaborate. Naptime practically guaranteed.
🇸 6/26 Swedish Midsummer Buffet @ IKEA (Tempe) | Friday (6/26) at 4:30 PM – If you’ve been craving culture that comes with air conditioning, IKEA Tempe is turning Midsummer into a floral scavenger hunt. Follow the flowers, learn Swedish tidbits, solve the puzzle, and snag a sweet treat. Consider it cardio, culture, and candy, without the Arizona sun.
♻ Saturday at the Ranch @ Dobson Ranch Library - Mesa Public Library | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Think your recycling bin is just for pickup? Head to the Ranch for a family craft session where they supply the materials, tools, and inspiration, and you turn cereal boxes, bottle caps, and imagination into fridge-worthy art. Real quality time, minimal glitter regret.
🐍 Endangered Species @ Wild Birds Unlimited (Mesa) | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Think you know your Sonoran neighbors? The Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary is popping into the store for a snappy, scale-filled chat on endangered species, what puts them at risk, and how we can help, without wrestling a single snake. Small crowd, big impact.
🇺 America 250 - Stars, Stripes & Sprinkles @ Tumbleweed Park Recreation Center (Chandler) | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Whether your little patriots salute with jazz hands or just show up for sugar, this cupcake decorating session keeps them busy and proudly sticky. They frost in red, white, and blue, pile on sprinkles and toppers, then bring the patriotic loot home.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. 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 Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The East Valley report Weather forecastToday — High: 112°F — Low: 85°F — Precip: 1%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 112. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 85. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 112°F — Low: 83°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 112. South southwest wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 83. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. This house is wildPerched on a premier Las Sendas view lot, this 7,251-square-foot Diamond Point estate serves up sweeping mountain, city-light, and sunset panoramas from nearly every room. The chef’s kitchen stuns with three islands and a glass wine tower, while a theater, bar, game lounge, and 1,500-square-foot primary suite add serious wow factor. Outside, a double negative-edge pool, putting green, and guest house complete the resort vibe.
Take a peek inside → |
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