Happy Tuesday, Scottsdale. In today’s edition: Mekong Plaza expansion, holiday wine & dine, a toy drive with Santa, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Amenities and community giving highlighted: Creation broke ground on a 6-acre Tempe industrial project with over 120,000 square feet, targeting late 2026 completion, as Pacific Office Automation pre-leases 75,000 square feet for Southwest market headquarters — get all the details.

Inside Phoenix’s sanctioned camp: Phoenix’s Safe Outdoor Space has operated for two years and is running smoothly, guests say, but funding pressures and a three-year cap cloud its future — read the full story.

Asian district’s next chapter: Mesa’s Mekong Plaza has completed a $10 million expansion, adding 32,000 square feet, 12 new businesses, and about 200 jobs, including restaurants Haidilao Hot Pot and Udon Shin — read the full story.

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

• Stroll illuminated paths in this holiday display
• Shop unique handmade gifts from artisans
• Sip wines to benefit Hope for Haiti
• Catch a touring performance of Shucked musical
• Laugh along with comedian Matt Friend live
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

Creative cocktails and Camelback views: Estelle, a two-story Mediterranean- and Mexican-inspired restaurant/bar, has opened in Old Town Scottsdale at 4439 N. Saddlebag Trail. The open-air spot seats up to 400 and runs 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. weekends. Look for $12 golden and lunar hour deals and a Dec. 20 grand opening party. Get hours, deals, and more.

Holiday crowds draw extra scrutiny: Scottsdale police kicked off holiday DUI patrols with East Valley partners on Black Friday in Old Town. The task force runs every weekend through year-end to deter impaired driving. Last year Arizona tallied 263 DUI arrests over Thanksgiving weekend. Plan a sober ride or a DD. Get all the details.

Wrapped-up comfort, Scottsdale-style: When burrito cravings hit, Diego Pops delivers: the California Burrito with charred skirt steak, green-chile chicken, or a classic bean-and-cheese done right. Modern vibe, zero fuss, and a weeknight upgrade that lands somewhere between laid-back and crave-again.

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

🍳 Impact Breakfast | The Power of Leadership Development @ Rio Salado Conference Center | Thursday (12/04) at 8:00am – Fuel up with breakfast and big ideas as HR pros and business leaders dig into 2025’s biggest leadership challenges—and map out smarter strategies for the year ahead. Expect actionable insights, future-focused conversation, and plenty of networking with people who actually get your work. A strong start to shaping 2026.

🍷 Holiday Wine & Dine @ Shops Gainey Village | Thursday (12/4) at 4:00pm – Holiday mode activated. Gainey Village is pouring wine and juice, doling out bites, cookies, and carols, plus a photo backdrop for that card you still haven’t made. Treat yourself, shop a little, and snag a bouquet and festive tote with a $50 splurge.

💎 Diamonds & Denim Ladies Night Out @ Galicia Fine Jewelers | Thursday (12/4) at 5:30pm – Grab your girlfriends and slip into your favorite jeans for a Diamonds & Denim night of elevated sips, savory bites, and gleaming new jewelry. Over $5,000 in prizes, Gucci-inspired swag for the first 50, and an authentic Gucci bag drawing, because yes, denim qualifies.

🎅 Fill Santa’s Sleigh Toy Drive @ Scottsdale Quarter | Friday (12/5) at 5:30pm – Skipping mall madness for a free concert that doubles as a toy drive. Bring a new, unwrapped gift for kids in foster care, ages 0 to 21, then enjoy live music, hot chocolate, crafts, and photos with Santa, because the North Pole has overhead.

🎁 December Gifts and Graces with KC Miller @ Southwest Institute of Healing Arts | Friday (12/5) at 6:00pm – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to make sense of your life besides your morning coffee, KC Miller’s numerology night decodes your personality, purpose, and next year’s vibe. Then sample toe reading, Reiki, tarot, and more, gratuities appreciated, curiosity required.

This weekend

🔮 Energy Healing Conference @ Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix | Saturday (12/06) at 8:00am – Dive into a full day of workshops, demos, and conversations centered on energy healing techniques and holistic well-being. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or just curious, you’ll find fresh insights, supportive connections, and plenty of high-vibe learning. A soul-nourishing way to spend the day.

🐱 Hello Kitty Cafe Truck Central – Mesa / Phoenix Appearance @ Superstitions Springs Mall | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Whether you have a soft spot for Sanrio or need shopping leverage, the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck does a one-day pop-up at Superstition Springs Center, by TJ Maxx. Grab supercute treats, exclusive merch, and nostalgia, then let the kids think this was for them.

🧼 Free Bubble Fest @ Arizona Boardwalk | Saturday (12/6) at 12:00pm – Nothing says quality family time like millions of bubbles ambushing your shoes. This free blowout at Arizona Boardwalk brings bus-length bubbles, live bubble acts, a huge foam party, and hands-on science stations with take-home crafts, all delightfully first come, first served.

🏒 Mavericks on the Road: Tempe, AZ Hockey Watch Party @ Boondocks Patio & Grill | Saturday (12/6) at 4:00pm – Take a breather from errands and park it at Boondocks Patio & Grill, because only in Tempe do we cheer hockey on a patio. Join fellow Mavs for the Ferris State game, family-friendly vibes, free swag, and alumni banter, come and go as you like.

🧓 Senior Sundays @ Arizona Science Center | Sunday (12/7) at 10:30am – First Sunday of every month means free Science Center entry for the 62-and-up crowd, so dust off that curiosity, not your wallet. Bring an ID, roam the exhibits, and remind the grandkids who discovered the dinosaurs first. Aging gracefully, learning shamelessly.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/2 Greyhaven @ The Rebel Lounge – 8 pm
• 12/3 Rivest Dunlam & Friends @ Tempe Improv – 7:30 pm
• 12/3 Shucked @ ASU Gammage – 7:30 pm
• 12/4 Primitive Man @ The Rebel Lounge – 7 pm
• 12/5 Ingested @ The Rosetta Room – 5:30 pm
• 12/10 Glistening Gardens @ Butterfly Wonderland – 9 am
• 12/12 Esteban’s Coming Home for the Holidays Concert @ Grand Hyatt Scottsdale – 7 pm
• 12/13 Rita Rudner @ Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts – 7:30 pm
• 12/14 Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra| A Season of Light @ Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts – 4 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Christopher Cole (Realty ONE Group)

Single-level contemporary in Mirabel Village, 85262, 4-bed, 4.5-bath, where vaulted shiplap ceilings with exposed trusses meet 18-foot great room drama. Fleetwood 10-by-20 glass pocketing walls open to a courtyard and desert views. The chef zone packs Thermador firepower and a large island, and the primary suite adds a spa bath with a freestanding soak.

Totals 5,123 square feet including a 720 square foot 1-bed casita with kitchen. Two two-car garages, a sparkling pool, built-in BBQ, and Sonoran Desert Preserve trails close by. Minutes to the Mirabel Country Club gate, Carefree, Cave Creek, Pinnacle Peak, the Loop 101, and airports.

Take a peek inside →