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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Din Tai Fung debut, Red Bull F1 showrun, and Arizona Aloha Festival + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Scottsdale 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

Beloved Taiwanese chain expands: Din Tai Fung will debut at Scottsdale Fashion Square on April 20, with a reservation-only soft opening set for March 12, featuring signature dumpling kitchen and second Valley location planned — get all the opening details.

Dozens of arts happenings citywide: Art Detour is underway around the Valley through March 31 with free openings and ticketed performances, including the Phoenix Theatre Company’s Come From Away. Some events require RSVP or admission — see what’s on the calendar.

Cross-sport energy on display: Formula 1 and Red Bull Racing will bring the Showrun to downtown Phoenix on March 14 outside Suns and D-backs stadiums, giving locals a taste of F1’s growing US presence — see what’s planned for fans.

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:

• Catch Carvin Jones’ cancer benefit concert
• Celebrate women in jazz with Petrich, Bloom
• Free family fun at Arizona Aloha Festival

🫶 We got your back

Old-school deli fix: Craving a proper Italian sub that drips olive oil in the happiest way? At DeFalco’s Italian Deli & Grocery, house-sliced meats, fresh mozzarella, and crusty bread meet that market-in-the-back vibe. A sandwich now and a jar of sauce for later… dinner handled.

All aboard, Scottsdale: For an easy win with kids or a low-stress afternoon, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park has the Paradise & Pacific mini-train, a vintage carousel, shady lawns, and playful zones. Ideal for snacks, group hangs, and a dose of nostalgia.

Playtime, upgraded: Need a fast, thoughtful birthday fix or a way to wow the littles? At Kidstop Toys & Books, real toy experts guide you to the good stuff, from brainy kits to cozy reads, and they’ll even wrap it up… no more last-minute scramble.

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.

🗣 Tempe History Society Lunch Talks @ Tempe History Museum | Wednesday (3/11) at 12:30 PM – Skip the reheated leftovers and spend your lunch hearing Dr. Christine Marin unpack Grácia Liliana Fernández, the bilingual heroine who put Tempe Normal on the map, and how bilingual education took root here in 1907. Free talk at Tempe History Museum, local pride included.

🐎 Cactus Reining Classic @ WestWorld | Friday (3/13) at 9:00 AM – Patio weather calls for the Cactus Reining Classic at WestWorld in Scottsdale, where world-class horses make sliding stops look effortless, and the hats mean business. A full week of Western tradition, family-friendly fun, and, best of all, free admission.

🎶 Sip, Shop & Live Flute Music @ Native Art Market | Friday (3/13) at 1:00 PM – If your errands need culture, pop into Native Art Market to sip, shop, and hear Indigenous flute by Moontee Sinquah, a 3-time Hoop Dance champ, while browsing hundreds of Indigenous artists, all indoors, all free. Head next door to The Frybread Lounge for a bite.

💡 ALT (Art, Light, Technology) Fest @ Mesa Arts Center | Friday (3/13) at 7:00 PM – A free, one-night mashup of art, light, and tech turns Mesa Arts Center into an outdoor wonderland. Wander through interactive installations, AR and studio demos, live music, and eats, then look up for the South Lawn drone show, because screens are best when they fly.

🐝 Native Plants for Desert Pollinators @ SummerWinds Nursery (Mesa) | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Ready to swap thirsty landscaping for something the hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees actually RSVP to? This free, one-hour class in Mesa covers native, desert-tough plants, plus simple tips for year-round blooms, shelter, and water. No registration, limited seating, so channel your inner early bird.

🎶 Family Concert @ Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church – Mountain View Campus | Saturday (3/14) at 4:00 PM – Pack the kids for a low-stress concert with Tanner Olson and Blake Flattley, where attention spans are respected, and clean lyrics. Fun songs, silly poems, and a reading of Olson’s All the Things I Say to God, followed by refreshments. Admission is a free-will offering.

☀ Sun & Sounds March 15 @ Civic Center Live | Sunday (3/15) at 1:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to loaf in the Arizona sun with a drink in hand, this is it. Free sets from Mo Maduro and Mario Why, Merchantile Market vendors, an expanded food scene, and yes, dogs. Peak Scottsdale, minus the pretense.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Scottsdale report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 76°F – Low: 52°F – Precip: 11%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. West wind 0 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 83°F – Low: 54°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 83. South southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 54. North northwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

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