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Hi Surprise, we made it to Thursday! 

In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Massive indoor pickleball club, the 26th annual film festival, and Jeff Dunham: Artificial Intelligence + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.

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

A calm refuge for caregivers: Glendale has opened the Valley’s first Ronald McDonald House Family Room at Banner Children’s at Thunderbird, offering a lounge, kitchenette, laundry, and lactation space, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for now — see what’s inside and hours.

Fourth location, training and jobs: Massive 35,000 square foot indoor pickleball club by Center Court is coming to Scottsdale. Construction began in February, and the 13 court facility will open this summer for Valley players — get all the details.

Party Pavilion, Film Prom, Kids Day: The 26th annual Phoenix Film Festival will run April 9 to 19 nearby, with new competitions for Music Videos and Deaf Directed Shorts. Tickets went on sale March 6 — see what’s planned this year.

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.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/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.

Highlights this week:

• Experience ink, cars, and family fun
• Shop over 50 vendors of toys, collectibles
• Run and walk for burn survivors
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Curtain up nearby: If you’ve been meaning to see more live theater close to home, TheaterWorks keeps Peoria’s stages buzzing with polished musicals, intimate plays, and year-round classes and auditions. Whether you’re row-D loyal or itching for the spotlight, there’s an easy way to plug in.

Old-school dog fix: Dazzo’s Dog House keeps it classic with chili dogs, bratwurst, and beer sausage, plus homemade fries by default and nostalgic Italian ice to finish. A Glendale staple you forget until the craving hits, serving the kind of proper dog that simply gets it right.

Bilingual shelves, big heart: Palabras Bilingual Bookstore pairs thoughtfully curated English/Spanish reads with a warm, community-first vibe. When your TBR needs a spark, their staff picks and book clubs come through, and you might leave with a new favorite author, plus that satisfied how-did-I-not-know-this grin.

\*These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

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 →

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 →

Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →

Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →

📆 Surprise for grown ups

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.

🎾 MS Charity Pickleball Tournament @ Surprise Community Park-Pickle Ball Courts | Friday (3/13) at 12:00 AM – Nothing says weekend cardio like a sanctioned pickleball throwdown for a good cause. SPA and USAPA are hosting a double-elimination tournament with women’s, men’s, mixed, and senior mixed doubles, all benefiting MS research. Brackets are TBD, which only adds to the suspense, right?

🚗 Ventana Lakes Car Show @ Ventana Lakes Yacht Club (Sun City) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Ventana Lakes is rolling out chrome and nostalgia for a car show that earns a lap around the block. Classic beauties, slick modern builds, and enough shine to blind your inner teenager. Catch up with neighbors and gearheads, sip something cold, and judge paint jobs.

🧘 Spring Equinox Sacred Hapé & Sound Ceremony @ Lightwork Lounge | Saturday (3/14) at 5:00 PM – Whether you swear by sound baths or just need to evict winter from your bones, this Spring Equinox ceremony with hapé, crystal bowls, and Mama Agape promises a reset. Intimate group, thoughtful guidance, and zero small talk. Bring a mat, a blanket, and overactive mind.

🎭 Pretty Woman – The Musical @ Arizona Broadway Theatre (Peoria) | Sunday (3/15) at 2:00 PM – Treat yourself to Pretty Woman The Musical at Arizona Broadway Theatre, complete with dinner, wine, and zero downtown parking drama. It is glossy, funny, and packed with 90s nostalgia, the kind you can hum on the drive home. Big laughs, bigger ballads.

🇨 Passport to Chile @ Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant | Monday (3/16) at 7:00 PM – Skip Sky Harbor and tour Chile by wine glass at this Passport to Chile pairing dinner in Surprise. Expect thoughtfully paired courses, lively wine club chatter, and enough Carménère, Sauvignon Blanc, and good company to make you forget your HOA emails. Dress elastic, pace yourself.

🎨 Paint Pouring: You Dirty Pour @ Conscious Creations Art Studio | Tuesday (3/17) at 5:00 PM – Think you’re too old for finger paints? Try acrylic paint pouring with Marko, play with liquid gold, and let your intuition pick the swirls. It’s messy in the best way, surprisingly zen, and just 30 bucks, so wear an old shirt and lean in.

🤖 Jeff Dunham: Artificial Intelligence @ Desert Diamond Arena (Glendale) | Wednesday (3/18) at 8:00 PM – Jeff Dunham is rolling in with the Artificial Intelligence tour, a night of world-class ventriloquism, rapid-fire punchlines, and gloriously unfiltered puppets. Expect Walter’s grump, Peanut’s chaos, and the oddly comforting truth that a puppet reads this town better than most humans.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/13 SMG and more @ The 44 Sports Grill and Nightlife (Glendale) – 7:00 PM
• 3/13 Friday Night Vibes @ Great Skate (Glendale) – 7:30 PM
• 3/15 We3 @ Westside Blues, Jazz & More (Glendale) – 3:00 PM
• 3/15 Karaoke @ Starlite Lounge (Glendale) – 9:00 PM
• 3/17 Pretty Woman – The Musical @ Arizona Broadway Theatre (Peoria) – 7:30 PM
• 3/19 Irish Music Concert on Flute & Guitar @ Glendale Public Library Main Library – 6:30 PM
• 3/19 Totally Tasty Thursday @ Desert Oasis, Surprise, AZ – 6:30 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Surprise report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 91°F – Low: 57°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 91. East wind around 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 93°F – Low: 60°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 93. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. North northwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

This house is wild

This 4-bed, 4.5-bath waterfront home in Reserve at Eagle Heights in Glendale offers 3,400 sq ft, 10-foot ceilings, plantation shutters, and a gourmet kitchen. Two primary suites, all en-suite bedrooms, and bonus flex space maximize versatility. Outside, a 10-foot diving PebbleTec pool creates a resort-style backdrop of tranquil water views and fiery sunsets. A 4-car garage adds built-in storage.

Take a peek inside →