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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Fleetwood Mac tribute, 2,000 collector vehicles up for bids, and stronger extreme heat protections + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

Neighborhood hub taking shape: Diversified Partners is planning a 24.5-acre retail center at 99th Avenue and Indian School Road in Glendale, anchored by EOS Fitness. It is reportedly 77% leased with several drive-thru opportunities — get all the project details.

Stronger extreme heat protections: Phoenix approved its 2026 Heat Response Plan, expanding outreach and cooling aid. Last summer’s county heat deaths were 30% lower than 2024. Cooling centers continue, plus a UMOM family shelter — see what’s in the plan.

Inside a museum partnership: Traveling from Surprise? A photo mural in Sky Harbor’s Terminal 4 was unveiled last week, celebrating Greater Phoenix talent and industries with historic and contemporary images for travelers to explore — get all the details.

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:

• Mirage performs Fleetwood Mac hits
• Bid on 2,000 collector vehicles
• Support T4K Cares at Texas Roadhouse

🫶 We got your back

Serious sandwich upgrade: AGourmet Fine Sandwiches makes lunch a craveable ritual with generous Italian-inspired stacks on plush bread, the kind that turn I’ll save half for later into a joke. It’s indulgent… you earned it, and yes, napkins are non-negotiable.

Peacocks and picnic vibes: Shady lawns, playgrounds, a dog park, and those resident peacocks make Sahuaro Ranch Park a breezy escape by the historic ranch houses. Wander for a laid-back walk, toss a quick game, or spread a low-effort picnic for an easy reset this week.

Nostalgia, leveled up: Retro Exchange blends vintage and modern toys, action figures, video games, and tabletop finds into a sprawling playground, perfect for a quick midweek morale boost or a lazy weekend browse. Expect rotating surprises and plenty of “remember this?” moments without leaving Glendale.

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.

🧠 Trivia Night @ Mule Creek Saloon | Tuesday (3/10) at 8:00 PM – Trivia Tuesday is taking over Mule Creek Saloon with brain teasers and questions you swear you knew in ’98. Bring your sharpest friends, snag a table, and chase prizes, bragging rights, and that smug glow of remembering state capitals, free to play if you’re playing.

📖 Family Storytime @ Peoria Main Library | Thursday (3/12) at 11:30 AM – Need to entertain a tiny tornado, grandkid or otherwise? Head to Peoria Main Library where Ms. Autumn spins stories, songs, poems, and giggle-worthy activities for ages 3 to 5, nurturing early literacy, taming the wiggles, and gifting you a rare, gloriously quiet ride home.

🐝 Native Plants for Desert Pollinators @ SummerWinds Nursery Glendale: 6426 W. Bell Road Glendale, AZ 85308 | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Glendale’s hosting a free class on turning your sunbaked yard into a hummingbird, butterfly, and native bee VIP lounge. Learn which desert natives thrive in the Valley, and how to keep blooms, shelter, and water going year-round. No registration, limited seating, so slide in early.

🗓 Peoria’s 2nd Saturdays @ The Monastery | Saturday (3/14) at 5:00 PM – Second Saturday means Downtown Peoria turns into an arts-and-tunes stroll, free, family-friendly, and actually charming. Expect local art, live music, hands-on stuff for the kids, and vendors you’ll pretend are for gifts. October through April, 83rd Ave between The Monastery and Axiom.

🛍 Vistancia Community Market @ The Village At Vistancia 29701 N Sunrise Point, Peoria, AZ, United States, Arizona 85383 | Sunday (3/15) at 11:00 AM – North Peoria’s monthly market is back with 100+ vendors, a legit farmers market, food trucks, live music, and a new petting zoo. Open to the public and pet friendly, with free entry, parking, and samples. Bring the kids, the dog, and your overconfident tote.

🥕 North Peoria Community Farmers Market @ Mountain Vista Club | Sunday (3/15) at 11:00 AM – North Peoria’s farmers market and craft fair is taking over Vistancia with 100+ vendors, makers, food trucks, live music, and a suspicious amount of fresh bread. Bring the kids, the dog, and your tote bag. Free entry, free samples, and yes, a petting zoo.

🐕 Group Dog Walk @ Pioneer Community Park, Peoria, Az | Sunday (3/15) at 2:00 PM – Sunday at 1 means a civilized stroll with Legend Acres, not a sled race, with trainers, leash tips, and real-world distractions. Free and on leash, registration required, and if your dog goes full drama at bikes or dogs, the workshop comes first.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Surprise report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 78°F – Low: 52°F – Precip: 7%

Sunny, with a high near 78. West wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. West wind 0 to 10 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 84°F – Low: 57°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 84. South southeast wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 57. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Arizona but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

On 2.5 acres of horse property with views, this ranch-style home pairs an open-concept kitchen featuring maple cabinetry, lazy Susans, pull-out shelving, and a great room with fireplace. A split plan adds privacy. A 23′ x 12′ loft suits office, guests, or studio. French doors open to a covered patio by a 2019 pool, plus corral and plumbed garage workspace.

Take a peek inside →