Queen Creek grandmother rehearses for Ms Senior America, Mesa families building backyard playgrounds, Sip Social Wine Trip, and more. 
Happy Friday, East Valley. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let East Valley Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: Chandler police sweep for card skimmers, a Queen Creek grandmother rehearses for Ms Senior America, and Mesa families use vouchers to build backyard playgrounds — catch up here.
State-level stories: Sedona and Payson facing wildfire evacuation alerts, Williams brightening Route 66 with neon nights and tacos, and five jaguars tracked in southern Arizona — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: South Korea’s court dismissed a Baby Shark copyright claim, a judge blocked fishing around Pacific atolls, and retirees eye a bigger Social Security increase — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Shred documents for $5 per box
- Kick off Tucson chapter with coffee and eBikes
- Celebrate Tyler’s birthday supporting Bricks for B
- Discuss new mom challenges with experts
- Unlock dozens of travel deals with AARP
🫶 We got your back
Beauty: Ditch the guesswork and jump straight to that fresh-faced glow. These best med spas in Gilbert and the East Valley pair expert hands with treatments that actually deliver.
Careers: Forget cacti. Arizona is rolling out the red carpet for job seekers with chip factories and Fortune 500s on the hunt. Check out which top employers are hiring and how much they pay.
Money: Explaining credit cards to your teen can feel like decoding ancient hieroglyphics. Try these easy credit lessons to turn confusing plastic power into real-world know-how.
Cocktail: Whether you’re craving a smoky mezcal riff, a floral gin fantasia, or a boozy twist on the classics, The Blue Heron mixes rare spirits, house-made syrups, and a dash of theater into cocktails that turn your evening into a liquid performance you won’t forget.
Money: The average driver pays $175 a month on car insurance, but most of us are paying way too much. If it’s been a while since you shopped around, you’re likely part of that “most of us.” This comparison tool can save you hundreds.
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📆 Around town this weekend
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🍨 Ice Cream Sundae Party | Friday (8/15) at 7:00pm – Take a break from your usual weekend rut and scoop up your own ice cream masterpiece at NRG, complete with enough toppings to warrant an extra napkin. Then shake off the sugar rush with salsa, swing, or ballroom steps across two ballrooms. No wallflowers allowed.
🎭 Steve-o @ Tempe Improv | Friday (8/15) at 7:00pm – steve-o is rolling into Tempe Improv, the same guy who once stapled his own ball sack for laughs. Now sober, bestselling author, and podcast host, he’s testing his Bucket List stand-up tour on us. Perfect chance to remember our own mistakes look downright tame.
This weekend
🍷 Sip Social Wine Trip @ Tempe Marketplace | Saturday (8/16) at 8:30am – Think you’ve tasted all Arizona pours? Board the shuttle at Tempe Marketplace, snack on charcuterie, and tour three Verde Valley wineries with lunch, water, and bus fare included. It’s $149 and seats fill fast, so call Nancy Winters before Aunt Marge scoops your spot.
🧸 Arizona Collector’s Expo 2nd Edition @ Mesa Convention Center | Saturday (8/16) at 10:00am – Think your memorabilia stash is complete? Mosey down to the Mesa Convention Center for the Arizona Collector’s Expo 2nd Edition, where dusty cardboard boxes become treasure chests. Shop dozens of vendors, trade TCGs, and snag a free 3D lenticular art print.
⏳ MAC 11th Hour @ Tempe Center for the Arts | Saturday (8/16) at 7:30pm – If you need something livelier than your couch and Netflix, MAC’s 11th Hour serves up company-choreographed pieces alongside tap pros Friends in Dance, a local favorite. Then brace yourself for a playful romp inspired by fantasy, fable, and pure silliness. It beats yard work.
☕ August Rally @ San Tan Ford | Sunday (8/17) at 7:00am – Coffee-fueled cruise on eBikes sounds like a midlife crisis, but this caravan to Mt. Lemmon comes with stunning views and zero therapy sessions. Plus, we’re officially christening Drive Electric’s Tucson chapter, because nothing says local bonding like swapping charger tips over lunch on the summit.
🏀 Sunday Youth Sports Classes @ Freestone Recreation Center | Sunday (8/17) at 8:00am – The Best Sports crew is back with Sunday sessions packed full of energy, fun, and fundamentals. Whether your kiddo’s into soccer, basketball, or just burning off weekend steam, these classes are all about teamwork, confidence, and big smiles. Ages 3–12, and yep—spots are already flying.
💃 2025 Dancing for one·n·ten @ Tempe Center for the Arts | Sunday (8/17) at 12:00pm – Saturday night means stepping onto the glittery dance floor for Dancing for one·n·ten’s 16th annual bash, where sequins fly higher than our hairlines and every pirouette powers LGBTQ+ youth programs. Expect stunning routines, familiar faces, and the warm glow of community in action.
Next week
🌮 Tacos and Tequila: Tyler’s Birthday Bash @ Fuzzy’s Taco Shop | Monday (8/18) at 5:00pm – Whether you’re here for guac or to toast Tyler’s birthday, swing by for tacos, tequila, and a good cause. All food and soda proceeds support Bricks for B, plus there’s a 50/50 raffle, LEGO loot, and prizes that’ll make adults feel like kids.
🍽️ Catering First Taste @ Portillo’s | Monday (8/18) at 5:00pm – Grab a plus one and swing by Tempe Portillo’s for a sneak peek at their catering menu, featuring Italian beef, cheesy pasta, and all the comfort-food classics you forgot you needed. Snacks are on the house. Zero obligations, full flavor.
📖 Christina Estes – The Story That Wouldn’t Die @ Changing Hands Bookstore Tempe | Tuesday (8/19) at 7:00pm – This Emmy Award-winning reporter spills the secret sauce behind her latest mystery in a no-fluff chat with Katie Raml, complete with juicy plot twists, candid confessions, and a few eyebrow-raising revelations. Perfect night out for curious locals who want stories sans clickbait.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/16 Mainstage Improv @ The Bridge Improv Theater – 7 pm
- 8/17 Dancing for one·n·ten @ Tempe Center for the Arts – 12 pm
- 8/17 Matinee and more @ Yucca Tap Room – 2 pm
- 8/17 Tribute to the Police @ Casino Arizona – 3 pm
- 8/17 Urban Legends @ Mic Drop Mania – 6 pm
- 8/17 steve-o @ Tempe Improv – 7 pm
- 8/17 Bobby Pulido @ Gila River Resorts – 7 pm
🏠️ Price is right – East Valley edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
Listed by: Christine M Anthony (Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty)
Santa Barbara vibes meet Arizona sunshine in this custom Avalon Grove stunner, where a circular drive and stone-accented façade set the stage for 4,289 square feet of pure style. Soaring ceilings, a hand-carved Cantera fireplace, and a chef’s kitchen loaded with Wolf and Sub-Zero gear bring the wow factor, while north-facing windows keep everything light and bright. The private den shows off wood beams and intricate trim, and every bedroom gets its own walk-in closet and ensuite bath (with a Jack-and-Jill shortcut to the backyard).
Outside, mature palms, citrus trees, and covered travertine patios create a backyard oasis with room to dream up a pool or casita. The deep three-car garage is ready for every project, and an RV gate adds even more options. Community perks include tennis, pickleball, and a park, all tucked inside a tree-lined, gated enclave minutes from downtown Scottsdale, Sky Harbor, and endless outdoor adventures.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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