Happy Tuesday, Glendale. In today’s edition: Glendale cops & kids Christmas party, creative aging showcase, Santa Paws pet adoption event, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

A heartwarming holiday tradition: Glendale police doubled attendance this year, hosting 105 kids at the annual Cops & Kids Christmas party at Westgate Dave and Busters, with breakfast, presents, and video games — read the full story.

Inside the chipmaker’s culture: TSMC Arizona’s $165 billion investment, the largest single foreign direct investment in U.S. history, is reshaping the state with six fabs, advanced packaging, an R&D center, and new high-tech jobs — read the full interview.

Balancing compassion and neighborhood concerns: Two years after Phoenix dispersed the Zone encampment, the city’s sanctioned campground is running smoothly, guests say, but expiring federal funds and a three-year limit leave its future uncertain — get details on funding and future.

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

• Witness Nitro Circus’ gravity-defying thrills
• Find forever friends at Santa Paws
• Celebrate Mele Kalikimaka with Sean Na’auao
• Cardinals host Rams at State Farm
• Run Glendale lights, enjoy cocoa and raffle
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

New path through red tape: Arizona just launched the Arizona Permit Finder, a first-of-its-kind interactive map that centralizes broadband permitting info to help ISPs navigate approvals faster and cut delays, especially in rural areas. It supports the state’s BEAD push to connect all eligible households, with 14 provisional subgrantees and $521 million in matching funds. Get all the details.

Fresh ways to show support: ADOT has rolled out three new specialty license plates benefiting charities: Phoenix Mercury, Ovarian Cancer Awareness, and the Verde Valley Wine Trail. Plates cost $25, with $17 to their causes. Personalization is another $25 annually. Arizona now offers 109 specialty designs that generated $14.5 million for charities last fiscal year. See where proceeds go.

Burrito craving, sorted: When you want a no-fuss, seriously satisfying wrap, El Charrito Authentic Mexican Cuisine serves breakfast burritos and north-meets-south comfort classics that hit the “I earned this” spot. Ideal for a midweek morale boost or a lazy weekend bite without leaving Glendale.

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

🍵 Tea Tasting- 2 Timeslots @ Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix | Tuesday (12/2) at 9:30am – Swap your third coffee for a Japanese tea tasting that is casual, social, and all about aroma. Think easy vibes, not stiff ceremony, with unhurried sips and good conversation. Two time slots, so you can zen pre-errands, or reward yourself after.

🐦 MIM Talks: Music and Birds @ Musical Instrument Museum | Tuesday (12/2) at 1:30pm – MIM is serving up a talk where birds and music share the spotlight, included with admission, and free for members. Hear instruments that squawk, trill, and sing, sample music made with birds, then tour the galleries for related gems, birdwatching with AC.

🕯️ Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons @ Warehouse 215 | Thursday (12/4) at 9:00pm – String quartet under a sea of candles takes on Coldplay and Imagine Dragons at Warehouse215, and yes, it somehow works. It’s the hits without the stadium chaos, just lush arrangements, cozy glow, and a night out that feels grown up, not boring.

🤠 Santa’s Country Jamboree @ Herberger Theater Center | Friday (12/5) at 6:00pm – If you like your holiday cheer with a twang, head downtown for First Friday’s country jamboree with tunes by Copper State Band, a glittery skate from Nancy Pluta, shopping, crafts, and Santa. Sip cocoa, call it quality family time, and bring food or school supplies.

🌌 Science With a Twist: Intergalactic After Dark @ Arizona Science Center | Friday (12/5) at 6:00pm – Trade Netflix for nebulas at the Science Center’s 21+ takeover, where sci-fi meets real space and you can finally push the buttons. Dress cosmic, snag VIP for a welcome drink, the Dorrance DOME show, and exhibition access, with advance tickets from $30, members $20.

This weekend

🐾 Santa Paws Pet Adoption Event @ Sam’s Club | Saturday (12/6) at 9:00am – Whether your kids are begging for a puppy or you just want to pet other people’s future roommates, Santa Paws is serving holiday cheer and wagging tails. Expect festive vibes, ridiculous cuteness, and real-deal adoptions, plus the satisfaction of doing something actually helpful.

🧓 Creative Aging Showcase & Celebration @ Heard Museum | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Consider this your reminder that creativity doesn’t retire. The Heard is celebrating artists 55 and better with beadwork and baby moccasins from workshops by Moontee Sinquah and Taylor Susan, plus a dance performance from Moontee and Sampson Sinquah, community vibes, and zero craft-store clichés.

🚗 Caffeine and Chrome Holiday Party @ Gateway Classic Cars of Scottsdale | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Kick off the season with coffee, chrome, and the kind of holiday spirit that actually helps local families. Bring a new unwrapped toy, admire some gorgeous classics, and enjoy food, drinks, and music, while supplies last. It beats wrestling for parking at the mall.

🚗 Saturday Night Mixteca Cruise In @ Mixteca Mexican Food | Saturday (12/6) at 5:00pm – Roll into the weekend with a free cruise-in where the salsa is spicy, the cars are shiny, and the patio is basically a party with its own soundtrack. Expect a DJ spinning all night, killer food specials, and plenty of chrome to admire. It’s the weekly hangout that never runs out of horsepower or happy vibes.

🎤 Typhanie Monique & Friends: a Jazzy Christmas with R&B @ Westside Blues & Jazz | Sunday (12/7) at 3:00pm – Typhanie Monique & Friends are serving a Jazzy Christmas with a splash of R&B, the classy antidote to holiday mall madness. Settle in for velvety vocals, musicianship, and festive groove. Two drink minimum applies, mocktails count, and the automatic 20% gratuity saves you the math.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/2 Light in the Window @ Herberger Theater Center – 12:10 pm
• 12/2 Greyhaven @ The Rebel Lounge – 8 pm
• 12/3 Phoenix College Big Band & Combos @ The Nash – 7 pm
• 12/4 Candlelight: 90s Hip-Hop on Strings @ Warehouse 215 – 7 pm
• 12/4 Primitive Man @ The Rebel Lounge – 7 pm
• 12/4 Sixth Annual Law Rocks @ Crescent Ballroom – 7 pm
• 12/4 Jam Night @ Westside Blues & Jazz – 7:30 pm
• 12/6 Jim Martinez – A Charlie Brown Christmas @ The Nash – 7 pm
• 12/12 Sugar Thieves @ Westside Blues & Jazz – 7:30 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Kea Carota (Realty ONE Group)

Stadium-adjacent entertainer, this expanded 4-bed, 2.5-bath sits an easy walk from State Farm Stadium. A permitted addition crowns it the largest on the block. An eat-in kitchen with a large island, big pantry, and newer appliances pairs with a one-of-a-kind formal dining room. The huge primary suite delivers serious closet space, plus an extra bonus room for work or play.

Backyard fun includes a project-ready shed, built-in barbecue, extended covered patio, and garden area. The fenced pool shows off a wide baja shelf, in-water seating, colored lights, and a water feature. RV gate, paved parking, and no HOA.

Take a peek inside →