Spring is winding down, and summer is right around the corner. Many residents have already left town, but for those still here, there is a lot going on. Get out and have some fun, take advantage of the many events on the calendar.

In this week’s Scoop:

Have an amazing week out there…🙏

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~ LOCAL TRAFFIC: Overnight Loop 303 ramp closures scheduled April 21-27

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for the following overnight Loop 303 ramp closures in Surprise for lighting improvements

🚧 The southbound Loop 303 off-ramp at Peoria Avenue will be CLOSED from 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, April 22.
🚧 The US 60 (Grand Avenue) ramp to southbound Loop 303 and the northbound Loop 303 ramp to east- and westbound US 60 will be CLOSED from 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, to 5 a.m. Thursday, April 23.
🚧 The US 60 ramp to northbound Loop 303 and the southbound Loop 303 ramp to US 60 will be CLOSED from 9 p.m. Thursday, April 23, to 5 a.m. Friday, April 24.
🚧 The northbound Loop 303 on-ramp at Bell Road will be CLOSED from 9 p.m. Monday, April 27, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, April 28.

ADOT advises drivers to use caution and be prepared to slow down and merge safely when approaching and traveling through all work zones.

~ The Sun City West Independent’s popular Senior Expo returns to Sun City West on Wednesday, April 22nd, bringing together local vendors, services, and resources tailored for residents of the community. The event offers a convenient way to explore everything from healthcare to home services, all in one place, while connecting with neighbors and local experts. Learn more at YourValley.net

~ The Recreation Centers of Sun City West will close Johnson Lanes beginning Monday, April 27, as new masking units and pinsetters from Brunswick are installed. The installation is expected to take 10 to 11 weeks to complete.

While the bowling lanes will be shut down, other amenities inside the Sports Pavilion will remain open. (link)

~ Rita Hanner Ward, a Sun City West resident & author is earning national recognition after winning a romance fiction award, putting a local name on the literary map. The honor highlights the growing creative talent within the community and offers a point of pride for residents. It is always great to see Sun City West stories making headlines beyond the neighborhood. See the full article at YourValley.net or visit Rita’s website.

It is easy to think of Phoenix as a modern city built on growth, air conditioning, and endless expansion. But long before freeways and master-planned communities, this area was home to one of the most advanced irrigation systems in North America.

More than 1,000 years ago, the Hohokam people engineered hundreds of miles of canals to bring water from the Salt River to the desert floor, transforming dry land into fertile farmland.

Read the full article here.

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Who’s Keeping an Eye on Your Home While You’re Gone?

The Sun City Posse’s Vacation Watch is a solid community service, but it’s a surface-level check. No one is inside the home looking for leaks, HVAC issues, or early warning signs. That’s where a professional home watch inspection comes in, catching problems early while your home sits unoccupied.

Phoenix Home Watch provides professional visual inspections of your property, looking for obvious issues before they turn into costly repairs. We communicate with you in real time and serve as your trusted advocate while you are away.

Your home does not get a summer break. Neither do we.

Visit PhxHomeWatch.com or call Phoenix Home Watch at (623) 226-8299

[Sun City] This week’s movie is ‘MIRACLE: THE BOYS OF ‘80’. Showtimes are Wednesday 4/22 at 2pm & 7pm at the Marinette Rec Center & Saturday 4/25 at 2pm & 7pm at the MOUNTAIN MUSIC ROOM (New location). See the APRIL movie lineup here.

[Sun City West] Banner Health’s “Big Pink Bus” mobile mammography unit will be at the R.H. Johnson Library on Thursday, April 23rd, offering convenient, on-site breast cancer screenings for the community. It’s an easy way to take care of an important health check without leaving the neighborhood, with appointments helping ensure a smooth visit. (link)

[Sun City West] Dance Sensations presents Golden Melodies. This music & dance show will be performed over four shows from Thursday, April 23rd, to Sunday, April 26th. Learn more or get tickets at the Dance Sensations website.

[Sun City West] The Sun City West Desert Garden Club will be hosting its FINAL SPRING SALES, on Thursday, April 23rd & April 30th, 9am-noon, and May 2nd from 8am-noon. These will be the last sales until fall.

BOGO SPECIAL!

Buy One, Get One of Equal or Lesser Value FREE — available only during these final three spring sales.  Applies to plants only. Excludes dish gardens, soil, and pumice.

Bring your friends, neighbors, and family and take advantage of this limited-time offer!

You’ll find a wonderful selection of cacti and succulents at great prices, all ready to go home with you. Sales are open to the public, and we accept cash, check, or credit card.

Beardsley Recreation Center, 12755 W. Beardsley Road (Greenhouse, botanical gardens & sales area)

Club members will be on hand to answer questions and share gardening tips. While you’re there, take time to stroll through the adjacent botanical garden.

[Sun City] Clear out your filing & medicine cabinets with the Sun City Posse, who is hosting a Drug Take-Back & Shred-a-thon event where residents can safely dispose of old medications & shred documents. It’s an easy way to keep harmful materials out of landfills while freeing up space at home. The event is on Saturday, April 25th, from 9am-12pm. (link & map)

[Sun City West] The Sun City West Friday Farmers Market. The market is every Friday from 10am-2pm at the Lord of Life Lutherans Church. (link)

[Sun City] The Sun City Farmers Market is back at the Bell Center, on 99th Ave just south of Bell Road. The market will be held every Thursday from 9am-1pm. (link)

[Surprise] Surprise Farmer’s Market, every Saturday from 3-7pm. A weekly market featuring fresh local ingredients, homemade goods, and artisanal crafts from nearby farms and ranches. (link & map)

Have an event you want listed here? Please reach out!

[Sun City] The RCSC Spring Sun Bowl Concert Series is underway and this Sunday, April 26th, JEMINI will be playing quality dance hits, their eclectic variety aims to provide a good time for all, with songs that will satisfy many musical tastes (link)

[Sun City West] SCW DESERT GARDEN CLUB WORKSHOP. The Sun City West Desert Garden Club invites all SCW residents, with a Rec Card, to an upcoming workshop, "Getting Ready for Summer", on Wednesday, April 29th, 10:00am to 11:30am, Palm Ridge Rec Center, Summit Hall A

The Old Farmer's Almanac forecasts significantly warmer temperatures and below-normal precipitation for the Desert Southwest in 2026. Jonathan Manning, a professional nurseryman, a certified arborist and manager of Elgin Nursery & Tree Farm, will attempt to help you prepare your landscape. Manning will provide expert advice on:

[Sun City West] Movie Night at the Stardust Theatre Join them for a matinee showing of CHICAGP on Thursday, April 30th, at 6pm, and WICKED: FOR GOOD, on Friday, May 1st at 1pm (link)

[Sun City West] The SCW Recreation Centers' Pop-Up Party is back and this time taking over Stardust Golf Course! Join us on Thursday, April 30, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. for this free event that includes: live music from The Jeff Sullivan Trio, food available to purchase from Mark's Best BBQ, beer/wine available for purchase, free putting contest - win range cards, rounds of golf and merchandise! Food and the putting contest start at 4 p.m. while the live music will begin at 4:30 p.m.

This is a free event for Sun City West members and their guests but you must register in advance online through our ticketing site (suncitywest.com/tickets).
One free drink ticket upon entry with your registration.

[Sun City] Sun City Hatha Yoga Club Hosts 2026 Open House. The Hatha Yoga Club is holding an open house from 2-3:00PM on Saturday, May 30th, in the yoga room at Sundial Recreation Centerto celebrate 40 years of yoga classes in Sun City. Enjoy class demonstrations and an opportunity to speak with the yoga instructors. The club offers mat and chair yoga classes year-round, Monday through Saturday, with classes available during the day and in the evening. This event is open to all RCSC members.

Visit HathaYogaClub.org for more information and come see what
it is all about!

[Phoenix] Experience the Kentucky Derby right here in Arizona, where the roar of thundering hooves meets the elegance of Southern tradition. On May 2nd, the new and improved Turf Paradise hosts The Stella Artois Derby DayClub. Presented by Sanderson Lincoln, The Stella Artois Derby DayClub is Arizona’s biggest and best Kentucky Derby event, and the only one with LIVE thoroughbred horse racing and private on-site betting. Learn more or get tickets here.

HOME OF THE WEEK: This beautiful remodeled home in Sun City West is an expanded Hopi model, with over 2,400 square feet. It also has an OWNED solar system, which means low electric bills and no pesky solar lease payment. (link)

Property listed by Allan Harsh with HomeSmart.

The real estate market here in the Sun Cities has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride so far in 2026. A very slow start led to a ‘Buyer’s Market’ in many communities, but March was a very different story. Find out all the details in the April Market Update from the Sun City Real Estate News.

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