Goodwill opens a thrift location with special deals, local pets await adoption, bilingual storytime, and more. 
Happy Friday, Scottsdale. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Scottsdale Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: Goodwill opens Mesa thrift location with special deals, local pets await adoption at shelters, and fire crews slash rescue times with new electric bikes — 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
- Securely shred your files this Saturday
- Tour the shop and explore volunteer roles
- Explore honest breast and chestfeeding tips
- Grab Jeni’s scoops to support Pride
- Unlock dozens of travel deals with AARP
🫶 We got your back
Nurseries: Dreaming of a backyard jungle? These plant nurseries near Scottsdale will make your neighbors green with envy.
Jobs: Forget the desert clichés. 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.
Finance: Teaching your teen about credit cards can feel like decoding ancient hieroglyphics. These easy credit lessons 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, Liquor Pig 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
😂 Steve-O @ Tempe Improv | Friday (8/15) at 7:00pm – Nothing says authentic weekend like watching a grown man recount the time he stapled his own…ahem, testicles, all in the name of stardom. Steve-O’s Bucket List tour rolls into Tempe Improv with wild stunts, self-deprecating humor, and zero signs of slowing down.
🎭 Culture @ Well Seasoned | Friday (8/15) at 9:00pm – Stash the remote and treat yourself to a weekly flight of fancy at Well Seasoned, where every Friday night bursts with live beats, vibrant art, and boldly spiced dishes. Your sofa called in sick. Grab a crew and join the fun.
This weekend
🍇 Sip Social Wine Trip @ Tempe Marketplace | Saturday (8/16) at 8:30am – Tempe Marketplace buses a gaggle of wine lovers north to Verde Valley for a day of all-inclusive indulgence: three tastings, charcuterie, lunch, snacks, hydration. Let’s be real, the only thing better than local wine is not being the designated driver. Seats fill fast.
🏨 Dirty Yachtin’ Scoundrels @ Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort and Spa | Saturday (8/16) at 6:30pm – Summer heat got you melting? Slide into the cool lounge at the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale, let Dirty Yachtin’ Scoundrels serenade you with stripped-down yacht rock classics. Sip a cocktail, nod to Steely Dan and Toto hits, then pretend you’re on a cruise, no sunburn required.
🧘 Nidra Sound Healing & Breath-Work | Saturday (8/16) at 6:30pm – Ever wonder what it feels like to nap with a gong as your therapist? This month Belle’s guiding us through Yoga Nidra, breathwork, and a sound bath to reboot your brain, open your heart, and leave you blissed out without leaving right here in Tempe.
💃 2025 Dancing for one·n·ten @ Tempe Center for the Arts | Sunday (8/17) at 12:00pm – After months of Netflix marathons, your living room could use some actual dance moves. The 16th annual Dancing for one·n·ten gathers our LGBTQ+ crew, allies, and showstopping routines to raise funds for youth programs that make a difference. Trust me, it’s a blast.
🎸 Police Experience @ Casino Arizona | Sunday (8/17) at 3:00pm – If you’ve got “Message in a Bottle” on repeat, this one’s for you. The Police Experience nails every riff, groove, and high note of the legendary band’s catalog with eerie precision. It’s a full-throttle tribute to the rock-reggae icons—just add a drink and a dance floor.
Next week
📖 Once Upon a Cuento – Bilingual @ Scottsdale | Monday (8/18) at 10:00am – Story time gets a vibrant twist with this bilingual session full of tales and tunes in both English and Spanish. Perfect for little learners and curious minds, it’s a sweet way to introduce dual-language fun—no translation required.
🍝 Catering First Taste @ Portillo’s – Tempe | Monday (8/18) at 5:00pm – Free food alert: Portillo’s is rolling out the red-checkered tablecloth for a catering menu preview, and you’re on the guest list. Think Italian beef, cheesy pasta, and fan-favorite eats—all on the house. Bring a buddy, come hungry, and don’t forget to RSVP before the trays are empty.
🍦 Charleston Pride Fundraiser @ Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams | Tuesday (8/19) at 3:00pm – Whether you’re coping with back-to-school jitters or just fortifying yourself against hot August afternoons, swing by Jeni’s on King Street for scoops that taste like solidarity, and you’ll help Charleston Pride while you’re at it. Ice cream with purpose, no guilt needed.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/15 Collie Buddz @ Marquee – 7 pm
- 8/15 Mainstage Classic @ The Bridge Improv Theater – 7 pm
- 8/16 Ranch Hands Cowboylesque @ Tempe Improv – 12 pm
- 8/16 Police Experience @ Casino Arizona – 7:30 pm
- 8/16 MAC 11th Hour @ Tempe Center for the Arts – 7:30 pm
- 8/16 Shrek Rave @ Marquee Theatre – 9 pm
- 8/17 Steve-O @ Tempe Improv – 7 pm
- 8/18 Cat Ridgeway & The Tourists @ The Rebel Lounge – 8 pm
🏠️ Price is right – Scottsdale 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: Michelle Meglio Macklin (Engel & Voelkers Scottsdale)
A single-story Ranch Hacienda with serious Southwest swagger, this 5,239-square-foot stunner keeps things both classic and current. Six en-suite bedrooms, a dedicated kids’ wing with bonus space, and a detached casita mean everyone gets their own slice of paradise. The chef’s kitchen is loaded with Wolf and Sub-Zero gear, double dishwashers, and custom cabinetry, while the family room’s wine fridge is ready for impromptu happy hours.
Out back, a heated pool and spa, fire pit, and grassy lawn set the scene for sunset mountain views and late-night stories. The oversized three-car garage comes EV-ready with epoxy floors and built-ins, all tucked away in Silverleaf’s guard-gated Horseshoe Canyon, just minutes from parks, trails, and the Silverleaf Club.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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