Good morning, Scottsdale! In today’s edition: La La Land Kind Café expands, Wolf by Vanderpump grand opening, Cole Swindell concert, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Kindness-driven coffee chain expands: La La Land Kind Café has opened its first Arizona location at Kierland Commons in Scottsdale, mentoring young adults aging out of the foster care system — get all the details.

Star-studded grand opening: Wolf by Vanderpump has opened at Caesars Republic Scottsdale, the brand’s second city location, with a 6,500-square-foot rooftop restaurant, panoramic desert views, a central bar, and a globally inspired menu — get all the details.

Valleywide highway upgrades ahead: ADOT’s 2026 projects will target relief in Scottsdale, Chandler, and Gilbert, including Loop 202 widening toward a 2027 opening. The biggest new project is set to start later this month — get all the project details.

Advisory panel sparks debate: Scottsdale’s mayor has called a special council meeting to consider a Downtown Task Force for Old Town, drawing mixed reactions and proposing property, hotel, and tourism representatives from key districts — get all the details.

Refresh your nest: Craving a quick home glow-up? Bungalow Furniture & Accessories has a floor full of ready-to-take-home furniture, lighting, art, linens, and thoughtful finishing touches. In-house stylists can pull it all together, so your place looks collected, not like a last-minute cart dash.

Turning point in water access: After years of uncertainty in Rio Verde Foothills, a new EPCOR water station opened January 1, easing shortages, and average users can expect bills around $130 a month — get all the details.

Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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🦇 Sonoran Speaker Series: Incredible Bats @ Valley of The Sun J | Tuesday (1/13) at 6:00 PM – Curious about the night crew keeping our skies bug free? Hear Arizona Bat Rescue’s Hally Cokenias unpack the lives of 29 native bat species, from backyard bug control to pollinating saguaros and agaves, aka the reason your margarita exists. Skeptics welcome, converts likely.

🎹 Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel: Chopin—The Romantic @ Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts | Tuesday (1/13) at 7:30 PM – Think you know Chopin beyond the raindrop piece? Jeffrey Siegel leads polonaises that strut, dreamy nocturnes that swoon, charming waltzes that flirt, poignant mazurkas that linger, and a narrative Ballade in A-flat. Consider it date night for your ears, and no awkward small talk.

📔 Junk Journal Meetup @ Cozy Craft Room and Studio | Wednesday (1/14) at 1:00 PM – Think your stash is too big? Perfect, this $5 junk journal meetup is your crowd, so bring your supplies to play, swap, and shamelessly compare washi tape strategies. Just register at cozycraftroom.com/event, and come ready to make a happy mess.

🥂 Modern Messages: Opening Reception @ Scottsdale Public Library | Thursday (1/15) at 5:00 PM – Trade the same old gallery small talk for an opening reception where the artists actually show up, and the work cuts past the usual desert clichés. Meet David Ahchipaptunhe Haff and Jacob A. Meders, swap questions, and get a smarter take on modern messages.

🎤 January Storyslam: “Transition” @ Empower Coffee Roasters | Thursday (1/15) at 6:00 PM – If your January feels like a long layover, come warm up with the Wayword Storytellers and a night of tales on Transition. Sip something cozy, hear neighbors spill on reinvention, relocation, and midlife plot twists, or snag a spot in the lineup.

🎻 Chicago Symphony Orchestra @ Mesa Arts Center | Thursday (1/15) at 7:30 PM – Nothing beats hearing a world-class orchestra in our backyard. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra arrives for an Arizona exclusive with Riccardo Muti, all Grammys, gravitas, and baton finesse. Dress like you meant to leave the house, settle in, and let the strings do the flexing.

🎤 Cole Swindell @ WestWorld of Scottsdale | Friday (1/16) at 6:00 PM – If you’re ready to dust off your boots and your bidder paddle, Barrett-Jackson is kicking off with Cole Swindell at WestWorld. Fresh off his new album, expect country hooks, chrome, and Scottsdale swagger. Tickets start at $85.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

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📻 Scottsdale report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 63°F – Low: 36°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny. High near 63, with temperatures falling to around 61 in the afternoon. Northeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Clear. Low around 36, with temperatures rising to around 38 overnight. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 69°F – Low: 40°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 69. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. East northeast wind around 5 mph.

Most popular house this week

Completed in 2022, this mid-century modern sits on a three quarter acre lot with sweeping views of The Boulders and Black Mountain. Sunlight fills high ceilings and clean lines, uniting an open plan with a great room and versatile den. The 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath layout pairs style with function. A 3 car garage completes it.

A serene enclosed front courtyard with a dramatic water and fire feature. Out back, sunset views, a pool and spa, a gazebo, built in BBQ, citrus trees, and turf beside a serenity garden. In a quiet neighborhood close to golf, lakes, rivers, and Tonto National Forest.

Take a peek inside →