Happy Tuesday, Phoenix. In today’s edition: County-led boost for pets, the Christmas Greetings musical, a day of giving, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Strengthening Arizona’s energy infrastructure: Four Arizona grid projects received $15.6 million to reduce outages, lower energy bills, and bolster wildfire resilience for rural and urban communities, with work expected to wrap by 2027 — see which projects got funding.

New citizens navigate voting access: Amid a lawsuit by the League’s national and five chapters over USCIS policy restricting voter registration at naturalization ceremonies, Arizona’s League continues registrations through county partnerships and is not joining — read the full story.

County-led boost for pets: Maricopa County advanced plans for a new nonprofit, the Friends of Animal Care and Control, boosting MCACC’s donation authority to $350,000 to pursue grants and support for homeless pets — read the full story.

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

• Be enchanted by Ballet Arizona’s Nut cracker
• Shop vintage and handmade at Melrose
• Experience dazzling new ZooLights displays
• Stroll glowing luminaria paths with Sonoran Santa
• Explore subzero science at Snow Week
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is 30% off

🫶 We got your back

New choices for house hunters: Lennar is now selling three home collections at Estrella in Goodyear, with single-family homes priced from about $369K to $455K. Buyers get access to resort-style pools, fitness centers, restaurants, and a kids’ water park. Options include the Next Gen layout with a private attached suite for multigenerational living. Learn about pricing and features.

Expanded healthcare coverage assistance: Surprise’s Human Services and Community Vitality Department partnered with Helping Families in Need to expand appointment availability for families seeking help with healthcare coverage. HFIN provides one-on-one assistance with AHCCCS, SNAP, and the ACA Marketplace. Appointments are required—contact HFIN to schedule. See how to schedule.

A low-key movie fix: Dodge the megaplex crowds and catch second-run hits at Pollack Tempe Cinemas, a laid-back, family-friendly spot with a classic snack bar. Popcorn, hot dogs, and Dippin’ Dots pair with comfy seats for an easy weeknight reset when you want simple big‑screen escapism.

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

🕯 Light in the Window @ Herberger Theater Center | Tuesday (12/16) at 12:10pm – An intimate play opens the door to Lola’s living room, Parol lanterns glowing as carols float in Tagalog and English. She and her Apo craft, swap stories, and pass on family, faith, and resilience, tender and funny, like a holiday visit without the dishes.

📷 Animals in Focus: Photography Class @ Phoenix Zoo | Tuesday (12/16) at 5:30pm – Trade your phone snaps for real shots on a 90-minute photo walk at the Phoenix Zoo, where composition, lighting, and emotion actually click. Learn to shoot through fences, glass, and foliage, then get friendly feedback. Fall routes hit Wild Side and Savanna, glare-free giraffe included.

🧱 Holiday Bricktacular at Legoland Discovery Center Arizona @ Legoland Discovery Center Arizona | Wednesday (12/17) at 10:00am – Dive into a festive LEGO wonderland packed with photo ops, snowmen hunts, and builds that’ll make your inner kid very proud. Little architects can craft LEGO hearts for charity, explore a wintry MINILAND, and even catch LEGO Santa on the weekends. It’s all the holiday magic—minus the actual snow shoveling.

🎅 Claus & Effect: “A Tropical Holiday” @ Herberger Theater Center | Friday (12/19) at 7:00pm – If your holiday cheer could use a beach umbrella, Mrs. Claus headlines a tropical cabaret with elves, songs, stories, and a playful twist on tradition. Expect adult humor, real heart, and catchy tunes you’ll hum while pretending to finish shopping, plus an ASL night.

🎸 Jam Festivus Celebration at Pho Cao w/ Hypervisor and Touch of Dead @ Pho Cao | Friday (12/19) at 7:00pm – Ready for some Festivus miracles? Touch of Dead opens with real, thick improv and familiar Dead grooves, then Hypervisor shuts it down with a vow of zero Mannheim Steamroller, teases, or mentions. Say farewell to 2025 at Pho Cao in South Scottsdale, drummer pinning encouraged.

This weekend

🧘 Glow Up @SMoCA: Sound Bath at Sunrise @ Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art | Saturday (12/20) at 6:30am – Nothing beats greeting the winter solstice with a sunrise sound bath in Turrell’s Knight Rise at SMoCA. Bring your blanket, your warm layers, and your inner chill, then let Melinda Milton tune you up. Cozy, intimate, and yes, worth waking up before the golfers.

📅 City of Scottsdale Announces Scottsdazzle Dates for 2025 @ Scottsdale Waterfront Canal Bank | Saturday (12/20) at 8:00am – Scottsdazzle is back, kicking off with Jingle & Jazz and the big tree at the Waterfront, then rolling into weeks of free concerts, markets, and twinkle-lit strolls. Park once, shop local, sip, let the kids meet Santa, and leave the mall to the tourists.

🎁 Day of Giving 2025 @ Peoria Sports Complex | Saturday (12/20) at 7:00am – Kick off a day packed with community cheer, free gifts for kids, and enough inflatable fun to wear out even the most energetic little humans. Santa swings by, gift-wrapping stations keep the holiday chaos under control, and the good vibes last all day. Come early, stay late, and soak up the spirit of giving.

🎄 Christmas Greetings Musical @ Herberger Theater Center | Saturday (12/20) at 4:00pm – Holiday season calls for a musical that actually earns the tinsel. In this charming show, every Christmas card Millie opens unlocks a new world of memory, imagination, and joy, reminding even us seasoned locals why traditions, connection, and childlike wonder still hit home.

🎨 DIY Christmas Trio! @ Dairy Queen Grill & Chill | Sunday (12/21) at 11:00am – Frost, decorate, and bring three adorable holiday characters to life with a rainbow of icing and all the tools your creativity can handle. Kids can customize their snowmen, families can get delightfully messy, and everyone leaves with sugary masterpieces. It’s the sweetest way to make a holiday memory at your neighborhood DQ.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/16 Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel | Beethoven-The Young Genius @ Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts – 7:30 pm
• 12/17 Aloft Live! @ Aloft Scottsdale – 5 pm
• 12/17 Ghost Poetry @ The Rebel Lounge – 7:30 pm
• 12/18 Light in the Window @ Herberger Theater Center – 12:10 pm
• 12/18 Soundcheck: The Phoenix Symphony @ Phoenix Art Museum – 6 pm
• 12/18 Jakobs Castle and more @ Lucky’s Indoor Outdoor – 6:30 pm
• 12/18 Ghost in the Willow @ The Rebel Lounge – 8 pm
• 12/20 Trash Can Romeos and more @ Chopper John’s – 9 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Lois E Zapernick (Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty)

A 1928 Spanish Colonial in the historic Encanto Palmcroft district, originally a Heard Development model home, flaunts high ceilings with hand stenciled beams, original wood floors, 9 foot picture windows framing the gardens, and wrought iron fixtures. Grand living flows to formal dining and a breakfast room with built in china cabinets. French doors everywhere for that indoor outdoor wink.

The primary suite piles on charm with custom bookcases, a generous walk in closet, and twin French doors to the private yard. Out back, mature landscaping, multiple patios, and a sparkling pool keep the party going year round.

Take a peek inside →