Hey Scottsdale, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: New barbecue spot, free museum admission, and Bonnie Aarons meet and greet + lots of fun things to do for free.
Today's sponsor, SmartAsset, is helping people around Scottsdale evaluate their retirement income strategy and plan for a retirement that could last decades. Their free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. -- take the quiz and find your match.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
New local barbecue spot: Scottsdale’s former Dickey’s at Loop 101 and Raintree rebranded as Copper State Barbecue Company, now locally owned and slow-smoking meats with a blend of pecan, oak, hickory, and mesquite -- read the full story.
Station modernization underway: Scottsdale is renovating Fire Station 606 at Via Linda and 108th Street to replace aging systems and improve accessibility. Construction is underway, and emergency services continue from a temporary station -- learn more about the project.
Safety rules take shape: Teen e-bike injuries spiked, and Scottsdale adopted rules and increased enforcement, barring under-16 riders on Class 3 models on city property and requiring retailers to post notices and add labels -- see the new e-bike rules.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill:If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Your new send spot: Alta Climbing Scottsdale serves up fresh routes, roped lines and boulders plus a legit fitness space and yoga studio, so you can chalk up, get sweaty, then actually stretch. Grab a friend, test a problem or two, and steal a cool-hour escape from the Valley heat.
Sub craving, solved: Casella's Italian Delicatessen keeps it old-school with made-to-order Italian subs, piled high and properly messy. If your week needs an easy win, swing in for a hot or cold classic, grab chips on impulse, and treat Future You to an extra sandwich.
Clay pot comfort: If this week calls for something cozy yet not boring, Slanted Rice comes through with steaming pho, crisp-edged egg rolls, and those sizzling clay pots that make the table go quiet for a sec. A dependable neighborhood pick when you want flavor, comfort, and zero fuss.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Premiums are up roughly 46% since 2021: Home insurance has outpaced inflation for years, and renewals rarely move in your favor. Rather than take the new number on faith, FinanceBuzz lets you match your home with top-rated insurers and compare quotes side by side — free, in about two minutes. Even if you decide to stay put, you'll know you checked. *See your options →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🏰 Disney Day @ Sugarlips Cakery (Mesa) | Wednesday (6/17) at 11:00 AM – Wear anything Disney to the Cakery and claim a free supercalifragilistic cupcake, with classic tunes piping for pure nostalgia, zero judgment. You’ll also get a free raffle ticket for Disney prizes, buy more if you like, and yes, the cute stuff vanishes early.
🍽 Feed My Starving Children 06/17/2026 @ Feed My Starving Children (Tempe) | Wednesday (6/17) at 7:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a feel-good excuse to wear a hairnet, this volunteer shift at Feed My Starving Children in Tempe delivers. It’s hands-on, social, and fun. The Masons are pitching in, keeping that old-school service streak alive, minus the awkward gala small talk.
🤠 Cole Clark and High Horse Band @ Roosters Country (Mesa) | Friday (6/19) at 8:30 PM – Roosters Country is bringing in Cole Clark and the High Horse Band for a honky-tonk throwdown, and there is no cover. Dust off the boots, tune up that two-step, and let the fiddle do the talking while your wallet enjoys a rare night off.
🎟 FREE Admission @ Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West | Friday (6/19) – Western Spirit just expanded, and they are celebrating the right way, with free admission. Wander the new galleries, dodge bronzed cowboys, and soak up real-deal Western history, air-conditioning, and bragging rights. Consider it cultural cardio, minus the sunscreen.
🚴 Great American Ride @ Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale celebrates 120 years of riding with free lunch off the grill, free bike wash, and chances to win a 2026 Liberty Edition Heritage Classic, or $500 sprees. Show up for the bikes, stay for the bragging rights, and maybe the Magic Cloth.
✍ Bonnie Aarons Meet & Greet and In Store Signing @ Horror Monger Collectibles (Mesa) | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – If you’ve wanted the Nun to sign your stuff, Horror Monger’s hosting Bonnie Aarons in Mesa for an in-store meet and greet. Autographs, selfies, and real chit-chat, first come, first served, no admission, table fees apply, plus a limited VIP if you like skipping lines.
📒 Arizona Junk Journalers Sticker Swap @ SaltFire Brewing Co Taphouse (Tempe) | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Dig up that drawer of decals, reward-chart leftovers, and bumper stickers you never committed to, and meet fellow junk journalers and paper crafters for a free, all-stickers-welcome swap at Salt Fire Brewery’s Map Room. Show and tell, trade, make sticker art, and enjoy low-stakes crafting.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — Announcement In case you missed itWe opened The Insiders’ Club last week and hundreds of folks have already joined (seriously… can’t thank you enough!!). For a few bucks a month, The Club gives you every newsletter ad-free on your schedule, plus members-only updates to help you stay connected to your community. The Weekly Events Roundup is my favorite feature. You get one email a week with all the best events and nothing else cluttering it up. Want only that? Skip the daily emails and turn the rest off. Join the club → |
07 — The Scottsdale report Weather forecastToday — High: 109°F — Low: 79°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 109. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 79. West southwest wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 108°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 2%
Sunny, with a high near 108. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 77. West southwest wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. This house is wildThis brand-new Scottsdale estate pairs Spanish-inspired architecture with modern luxury on a private one-acre lot in the Cactus Corridor. Spanning 6,217 square feet, it features 6 bedrooms, 7.5 baths, soaring ceilings, designer finishes, a chef’s kitchen, and seamless indoor-outdoor living. A 5-car garage and spa-like owner’s retreat add major standout appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
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