Good morning, Surprise! In today’s edition: Beloved hangouts saying goodbye, World Championship Hoop Dance Contest tickets, lunar eclipse highlights, 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.

Farewell to beloved hangouts: From downtown Phoenix to Litchfield Park, nine notable bars and breweries closed in 2025. The list includes Valley favorites that poured their last pints and notes which spots remain open — see the full list.

Cozy decor treasure hunt: Whether you’re hunting for quirky home accents, garden decor, or a new DIY project, Memory Lane Trinkets and Treasures fills nine themed rooms with finds from 160 local artisans, plus a year-round holiday nook and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. An easy, delightfully meandering browse.

Inside a community’s commitment: The City of Surprise is prioritizing veterans and military families with a new resource, and an Army veteran is serving as the city’s navigator in FOX 10’s Care Force segment — read the full story.

Innovation Core project advances: Peoria has launched an expansion of Lake Pleasant Parkway from Loop 303 to north of the CAP Canal to ease congestion and improve safety, including a bridge expansion — get all the project details.

Part of NASA Night Sky Network: West Valley Astronomy Club shares 2026 sky highlights, from the Quadrantids and comets to a lunar eclipse on August 28. Twice monthly Star Parties continue as the club turns 40 — learn about upcoming sky events.

A showcase of Indigenous excellence: Tickets are now on sale for the Heard Museum’s 2026 events in Phoenix, including the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest Feb 14-15 and the Indian Fair and Market March 7-8 — 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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🤠 Happy Trails Wild West Classic @ Great Eagle Golf Club | Monday (1/12) at 1:00 AM – If you’ve been craving bragging rights without re-injuring your high-school tennis elbow, the WILD West Classic pickleball tourney is turning 20 in Surprise. Lace up for smack talk, sunny courts, and that glorious pop-pop-pop, then claim your medal, your sunscreen streaks, and a smug brunch.

🍷 Chateau Montelena Wine Dinner @ The Wigwam | Tuesday (1/13) at 6:00 PM – Nothing beats a five-course evening where the biggest decision is red, white, or both. Once a month, Wigwam’s chefs craft a seasonal menu paired with Chateau Montelena pours, perfect for lingering, swapping tasting notes, and pretending “stone fruit” is a personality trait.

✏ Printmaking on the Run @ Conscious Creations Art Studio | Wednesday (1/14) at 10:00 AM – Learning how to coax atmosphere and texture out of ink and ordinary household gadgets, this portable printmaking workshop is made for urban sketching and plein air wanderers. Kits are provided, you bring your trusty mixed media sketchbook, and leave the kitchen sink at home.

🖼 Art Show Opening @ Conscious Creations Art Studio | Thursday (1/15) at 4:00 PM – Skip the errands and swing by a laid-back opening featuring Lilly Petersen, a wildly talented 15-year-old mixed media artist, plus a wall of local work. Meet her, snag a piece before the price curve sets in, enjoy refreshments, and feel smug about supporting hometown talent.

💉 Vitalant Blood Drive @ Asante Library | Friday (1/16) at 10:00 AM – Do a good deed at the Surprise Public Library with Vitalant’s blood drive, and trade a pint for cookies, juice, and karmic brownie points. Quick appointment, comfy chairs, real impact. Roll up a sleeve, chat with neighbors, leave feeling oddly heroic.

🎬 Retro Movie Club: “Casablanca” @ Peoria Public Library | Friday (1/16) at 1:00 PM – Skip the algorithm and catch Casablanca on the big screen at Peoria Main Library’s Willow Room theater. The Retro Movie Club meets the first and third Fridays, which is code for built-in date night, or a classy solo escape. Here’s looking at you, popcorn.

🎭 Opening Night of WIT @ Peoria Center for the Performing Arts | Friday (1/16) at 7:00 PM – Grab a seat for opening night of Wit, the Pulitzer winner where a brilliant poetry professor wrestles with cancer, intellect, and the mess of being human. It is unsparing, surprisingly funny, and quietly devastating, the kind of theater that lingers longer than your parking stub.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

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📻 Surprise report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 64°F – Low: 40°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny. High near 64, with temperatures falling to around 62 in the afternoon. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Later: Clear. Low around 40, with temperatures rising to around 42 overnight. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 70°F – Low: 42°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 70. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Most popular house this week

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Inside, soaring ceilings and large format tile set a clean, modern tone. The chef’s kitchen delivers dual islands, quartz counters, pendant lighting, and abundant cabinetry, plus a full prep kitchen behind the scenes. Every bedroom enjoys a unique en suite and a walk-in closet. The primary suite feels resort-level. Even the laundry room is tricked out.

Take a peek inside →