Happy weekend, Surprise! In today’s happening-today edition: America’s Sweethearts tribute, a reopened 1985 time capsule, and cooling aid for broken A/Cs + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
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01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Celebrating community heroes: America’s Sweethearts will perform at The Vista Center for the Arts on July 3 for Surprise’s America 250 celebration, with a tribute to veterans and free hot dog or popcorn -- get the full event details.
A city’s keepsakes resurface: Glendale crews uncovered a 1985 time capsule during City Hall renovations, opened at Centennial Elementary with the former mayor. The city is preparing a new capsule featuring spring training memorabilia -- see what’s going inside next.
Cooling aid for residents: Amid the heatwave straining A/Cs, Valley residents are turning to nonprofits offering replacements and a city loaner program, while Maricopa County and cities provide grants to fix or replace units -- see how to get help.
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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.* Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Puzzle night upgrade: Skip the usual scrolling and tap into your inner detective at AXESCAPE, right here in Surprise, where immersive escape rooms meet axe throwing and even a multi-sport simulator. Private throwing bays, clever puzzles, and just enough chaos energy make it perfect for date night, friend squads, or burning off that midweek blah.
Swing back into shape: Desert Springs Golf Course is your low-key spot to shake the rust off without trekking across town. Smooth greens, friendly vibes, and just enough risk-reward to make you text a humblebrag after the round, it's a solid midweek reset or early Saturday sanity saver.
Weekend reset nearby: Skip the endless to-do list and post up at Roadrunner Campground, the lakefront spot at Lake Pleasant with water and electric hookups and sunset views that make your phone’s camera feel fancy. Close enough for a spontaneous overnight, far enough to feel like you ran away.
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04 — Our recommendations
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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 Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🌱 Learn More & Give Back: Become a Master Gardener @ City of Surprise Water Education Center | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – Already scolding your bougainvillea and side-eyeing your neighbor's sprinklers? Level up with the University of Arizona’s Master Gardener path, a free intro to desert gardening, sustainable landscapes, and pest management, plus real community service that goes beyond swapping cuttings. Spots are limited, so plan ahead.
🌙 Desert West Night Market 6/20 @ Peoria Sports Complex | Saturday (6/20) at 6:00 PM – Saturday nights all summer, the Desert West Night Market turns Peoria Sports Complex into a stroll-and-graze paradise with 120+ local vendors, food trucks, a DJ, a full bar, and a splash pad. Shop a little, sip a little, let the kids splash, repeat.
🧘 Summer Solstice Activation: A Somatic Sound Journey @ Blisstopia Retreats (Peoria) | Saturday (6/20) at 6:00 PM – Mark the Summer Solstice with an immersive mix of sound, meditation, and movement at Blisstopia in Peoria. Less spa soundtrack, more guided reset for the second half of the year. Dress to move, bring your curiosity, and let someone else handle the playlist for once.
🕵 Pursuit Mystery Dinner “The Jazzy Joint” @ Dream City Church (Glendale) | Saturday (6/20) at 6:30 PM – Nothing beats a mystery dinner where the suspects are also your potential dates, and Glendale finally gets one on the west side. Team up with fellow singles and daters, trade clues, enjoy food, and solve whodunnit. Optional 1920s flair, strong alibis, and jazz club swagger.
🎉 Summer Reading Celebration Party @ Barnes & Noble (Peoria) | Saturday (6/20) – Kid-approved summer blowout, only with bookmarks instead of bouncers. The library's first-ever reading celebration brings crafts, bookish fun, and bragging rights for young bookworms, and they want parents or guardians along for glue-stick duty, snack negotiation, and that comforting whiff of old paper.
🛍 N. Peoria Summer Family Fun Community Market @ Mountain Vista Club | Sunday (6/21) at 9:00 AM – Summer in Peoria calls for air conditioning, free samples, and a sprawling indoor market that saves you from melting. Every third Sunday, wander 65-plus local vendors, nab farm eggs, artisan bread, and Alaskan fish, keep the kids busy with face paint, and bring the dog.
🛥 Father's Day Sunset Dinner Cruise @ Lake Pleasant Cruises (Peoria) | Sunday (6/21) – Lake Pleasant is serving up a 90-minute morning cruise with buffet brunch by Butcher Block Catering, plus live local music. Trade dad's grill tongs for a deck chair, sip coffee like royalty, and let someone else handle the views and the dishes. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Surprise report Weather forecastToday — High: 104°F — Low: 75°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 104. South southeast wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 75. West wind 0 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 105°F — Low: 76°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 105. South wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 76. West wind 0 to 5 mph. This house is wildAcoma Estates’ newest showpiece spans over 3,700 square feet of polished luxury on the community’s largest lot. The dramatic great room and formal dining area feature coffered, beamed ceilings, while the chef’s kitchen shines with double-stacked wood cabinetry, a butler’s pantry, and GE Monogram appliances. A private multigen suite, spa-style primary retreat, and 4-car tandem garage add major appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
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