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Another beautiful spring week here in Arizona, I hope you are taking advantage and doing something fun before the heat of summer arrives.

Maybe you’re getting ready to head out and avoid the summer heat all together. Be sure & check out our sponsor, Phoenix Home Watch.

In this week’s Scoop:

  • Moon pics from Artemis II

  • What should go into the former Basha’s in Sun City West?

  • NEW: Pet of the Week!

  • And so much more!

Have an amazing week out there…🙏

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~ Some vacancies fade into the background. Others quietly become one of the most important unanswered questions in a community. The former Bashas’ space in Sun City West is firmly in that second category.

This is not just another empty storefront. It is a large, centrally located property with the kind of visibility and accessibility that makes it matter. What goes here will not just fill a lease, it will influence how residents shop, gather, and spend their time for years to come.

At first glance, replacing it with another grocery store feels like the obvious move. But the surrounding landscape has changed. With Fry’s Food Stores, Safeway, and Trader Joe’s all nearby, a traditional grocer would likely add more competition than convenience.

That does not mean grocery is off the table. It just needs to be something different.

Read the full article here.

~ Furniture giant IKEA is expanding in the Valley with a new location planned for North Phoenix, bringing its signature showroom experience, affordable home goods, and Swedish-inspired eats closer to residents in the northwest Valley. The new store is expected to improve access for shoppers who previously had to make the drive to Tempe, and signals continued retail growth in the area.

It is still a bit of a journey, but not quite as bad as the trip down to Tempe. (link & map)

~ I know it’s not really ‘community news’ but the images of the moon from Artemis II are worth sharing. You can see the full gallery here.

~ Roadwork is continuing in Sun City, with improvements ongoing now through early May, that may impact traffic in key areas around the community. Drivers should expect delays, lane restrictions, and changing traffic patterns as crews complete the work, so plan a little extra time if you’re heading out. See the full article at YourValley.net

~ Big news for our readers, the Sun City Scoop now has a full website at suncityscoop.com. You can now find local news, community updates, area history, and a full archive of past newsletters all in one place. It is your new go to hub for everything happening around Sun City, Sun City West, and The Grand.

🌲 Arizona’s Hidden Giant: The World’s Largest Ponderosa Pine Forest

When most people think of Arizona, they picture saguaros, red rock, and endless desert. But just a couple hours north of the Valley, the landscape changes dramatically. Around Flagstaff, Arizona is home to the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the world, a massive, high-elevation ecosystem that feels more like Colorado or Montana than the Sonoran Desert.

Read the full article here.

Why Burned-Out Professionals Are Turning to CBD

Long hours, heavy workloads and frustrating coworkers: job burnout is on the rise. Savvy professionals are turning to CBD and its sister compound, CBG, to manage work stress and burnout without losing focus.

Like CBD, CBG is a non-intoxicating compound found naturally in the hemp plant that is known for helping to manage mild/temporary anxiety. And these benefits are backed by science: participants in a 2022 CBDistillery study who took CBD + CBG reported:

  • Reduced mild or temporary anxiety and tension

  • Increased focus and mental clarity

  • That CBD + CBG was more effective than other treatments they tried in the past

When it comes to quality CBD products, CBDistillery is leading the way. Non-GMO, US-grown hemp, 100% clean ingredients, and a 60-day satisfaction guarantee give you one less thing to stress about.

Special Deal for Our Readers: Use code FOCUS to save an additional 20% on your first bundle order!

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 ‘Dr. NO’. Showtimes are Wednesday 4/8 at 2pm & 7pm at the Marinette Rec Center & Saturday 4/11 at 2pm & 7pm at the MOUNTAIN MUSIC ROOM (New location). See the MARCH movie lineup here.

[Sun City West] Movie Night at the Stardust Theatre Join them for a matinee showing of ANACONDA on Thursday, April 16th, at 6pm, and SCHOOL OF ROCK, on Friday, April 17th at 1pm (link)

[Sun City] The RCSC Spring Sun Bowl Concert Series is underway and this Sunday, April 12th, ICONIC will be performing. (link)

[Sun City] St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church is partnering with Vitalant to host a blood donation drive on Sunday, April 12th, from 8am-1230pm. (link & map)

[Sun City] The Sun City Handbell Ringers will be celebrating America & the 250th Anniversary on Sunday, April 12th at 3pm at the American Lutheran Church. (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)

[Sun City West] The Sun City West Desert Garden Club hosts weekly PLANT SALES from 9:00am to noon each Thursday Club members will be on hand during sales to answer questions and offer gardening advice. Visitors are encouraged to tour the adjacent botanical garden during their visit to the greenhouse. The plant sales are open to the public and payments can be made by cash, check, or credit card. Supporting Education and the Community.

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

[Sun City] Don’t miss your chance to finally get rid of your old electronics responsibly, at the upcoming Electronics Recycling Event hosted by the Sun City HOA, where residents can safely dispose of old TVs, computers, and other electronics. It’s an easy way to keep harmful materials out of landfills while freeing up space at home.

This event will be held on Tuesday, April 21st, from 8-11am, at the Bell Road Recreation Center parking lot. (link & map)

[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] 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 TVs, computers, and other electronics. 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)

Home of the Week: What do you get for $125k?

The condo market in Sun City is a great opportunity right now. This submarket is still very much in a ‘buyer’s market’ and this could be your chance to take advantage as seller’s are more motivated heading into the warm summer months.

You’re probably thinking, $125k, how awful is this place? Actually, its not bad at all. This one bedroom unit is not trashed, nor does it have to be remodeled in order to move in.

See all the pics & info here.

Listed by Jenny Kennedy with HomeSmart

Curious how the real estate market is doing in the Sun City Communities? Be sure & subscribe to the Sun City Real Estate News, and be the first to receive next week’s market update, full of all the info & data on what happened in the market in March. (I’m behind schedule on this update, the end of March and analyzing the month & the first quarter of 2026 proved to be too much work for me to get done in time.)

These Pets of the Week are two sweet dogs share by Linda Russio. Both are Chihuahua mix the black one is Clover who is 3 yrs old and part squirrel she loves to play ball. The tan one is Rosie she is 11 years old and just likes her treats and relaxing.

If you’d like to have your pet be the ‘pet of the week’, reply to this email with a picture and some info about them. Thanks!

Please reply to this email or send details on your club to [email protected]

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