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Hey Fountain Hills, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Din Tai Fung’s Arizona debut, Joe Mantegna’s tequila fest, and a massive pickleball club + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Fountain Hills protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Fourth Valley location announced: Center Court Pickleball Club will open a 35,000-square-foot facility in Scottsdale in summer 2026, with 13 courts and jobs, bringing closer play for Fountain Hills after construction began in February — get all the details.

Sip, sample, and mingle: Joe Mantegna will showcase Señor Río Tequila at the We-Ko-Pa Celebrity Wine and Spirits Festival on March 21, featuring more than 40 brands and $1-per-bottle donations to We Care Crusade — get all the details.

Central tree anchors sleek space: Din Tai Fung’s Arizona debut at Scottsdale Fashion Square will begin a reservation-only soft opening March 12, with the grand opening set for April 20. Reservations are open for diners — see opening dates and features.

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.

Highlights this week:

• Experience Led Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy
• Shop local at North Scottsdale farmers market
• Run scenic 15K/5K to iconic fountain

🫶 We got your back

Your next lunch move: DeFalco’s Italian Deli & Grocery stacks hand-crafted sandwiches with freshly sliced meats and cheeses on crusty Italian bread, plus house-made sausage and century-old family recipes. Ideal midweek fuel that proves just how satisfying a proper Italian combo can be.

Where the trains roam: Between breezy lawns, nostalgic train rides, model railroads, and a just-for-fun carousel, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park delivers an easy midweek reset when cabin fever strikes. Bring a coffee, let the kids roam, and soak up the delightfully whimsical vibe… proof you actually live somewhere playful.

Neighborhood toy fix: When birthdays sneak up or a fidget stash “mysteriously” vanishes, Kidstop Toys & Books delivers thoughtful, screen-free fun for babies through teens, plus real humans who help you pick and wrap the good stuff, so you can look brilliant and still enjoy your weekend.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

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.

🐴 Cactus Reining Classic @ Westworld Of Scottsdale | Friday (3/13) at 8:00 AM – Whether you’ve spent years dodging tourists in Old Town or just need an excuse to smell leather and arena dust, the Cactus Reining Classic brings world-class horses and riders to WestWorld all week. Elite rides, family-friendly Western vibes, bragging rights, and admission is free.

💡 ALT (Art, Light, Technology) Fest @ Virginia G. Piper Repertory Theater (Mesa) | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Grab a jacket and head to Mesa Arts Center for a free, one-night glow up of art, light, and tech. Interactive installations, live music, augmented reality, studio demos, and eats worth the steps. Stay for the choreographed drone show over the South Lawn.

🚗 Spring Car Show 2026 @ Streetside Classics – Phoenix (Mesa) | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Spring in Mesa means chrome, coffee, and neighbors talking horsepower. Streetside Classics throws a free, family friendly car show with all makes, live music, food trucks, awards, over $1,500 in door prizes, donations to United Food Bank, plus a 265-plus showroom for nostalgia laps.

🛍 The Farm Artisan Market @ Scottsdale United Methodist Church | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Swing through Old Town Scottsdale’s Farm Artisan Market for a proper Saturday morning browse, not a sprint. New vendors, fresh flavors, handmade one-offs, and local bites, all with free parking, friendly dogs, and neighbors you actually like. Shop local, feel smug, repeat.

🐝 Native Plants for Desert Pollinators @ SummerWinds Nursery (Mesa) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Done with plants that faint by July in the Valley? Hit this free class to pick native and desert-hardy trees, shrubs, perennials, and wildflowers that lure hummingbirds, butterflies, and native bees, plus tips for year-round blooms, shelter, and water. No registration, first-come seating.

🎉 Babydoll Hair Salon 15th Anniversary Celebration @ Babydoll Hair Salon (Mesa) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Skip the appointment roulette and swing by their come-and-go open house. Babydoll Hair Salon is celebrating 15 years with a card-only food truck, drinks, door prizes, photo ops, and the kind of feel-good small talk that actually grows on you.

🎶 Cody Blackbird @ Native Art Market (Scottsdale) | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Whether you think flutes are for spa playlists or know Cody Blackbird, this free Old Town hang pairs live Indigenous flute, complimentary pinon coffee, and an Indigenous-owned gallery showcasing hundreds of Native artists. Shop, sip, then treat yourself to frybread next door.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Fountain Hills report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 75°F – Low: 52°F – Precip: 13%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. West southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. West northwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 82°F – Low: 56°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 82. South southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 56. North wind 0 to 5 mph.

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If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

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