As April winds down here in the Valley that usually means longer days, rising temps, and a steady shift toward summer routines. Whether you're wrapping up snowbird season & heading out or settling in for the heat ahead, it’s a great time to catch up on what’s happening around Sun City and beyond.

In this week’s Scoop:

Have an amazing week out there…🙏

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here

~ Local author & Sun City resident, Rowland B. Linston has released his latest book, continuing his style of thought-provoking fiction that blends suspense with deeper philosophical themes. His stories often explore human consciousness, morality, and the unseen forces that shape our decisions, giving readers a mix of intrigue and introspection. The new release carries that same tone, offering a compelling, idea-driven read for fans of intelligent, suspenseful storytelling. Learn more at Linston’s website or see his books on Amazon. Read the full article on this release at YourValley.net

~ Did you see smoke this past weekend? A large fire broke out at a landfill in Surprise last week, sending thick smoke across parts of the northwest Valley and prompting a significant response from local fire crews. Officials worked for hours to contain the blaze and monitor air quality, as residents nearby reported heavy smoke and poor visibility. While no major injuries were reported, the incident raised fresh concerns about landfill safety and air conditions in the area. (link)

Before Sun City, retirement in America looked very different. It often meant slowing down, downsizing quietly, and settling into a more passive lifestyle. There were no large-scale communities built specifically for active adults, and very little thought given to what life after 55 could truly look like.

That changed in 1960.

Developer Del Webb had a vision that was, at the time, considered risky. Instead of building another traditional neighborhood, he created a community designed entirely for retirees who wanted to stay active, social, and engaged.

Read the full article here, on how Sun City changed everything.

Late last year, a Klimt sold for the highest price ever paid for modern art at auction.

An outlier sure, but it wasn't a fluke. U.S. auction sales grew 23.1% in 2025. The $1-5mm segment even grew 40.8% YoY.

When the S&P 500 finished its worst quarter since 2022 last month, diversifiers like bonds and bitcoin fell too.

Even with the turnaround in mid-April, analysts at Goldman Sachs and Vanguard have projected low-single-digit annualized returns from 2024-2034.

So, what kind of investment is largely indifferent to the forces driving everything else?

Masterworks lets you invest in shares of artworks featuring legends like Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso.

Shares can sell quickly, but my subscribers can skip the waitlist:

Skip the waitlist to join Masterworks

^{*According to Masterworks data. Investing involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. See important Reg A disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.}

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 ‘LOVE IN THE CLOUDS’. Showtimes are Wednesday 4/29 at 2pm & 7pm at the Marinette Rec Center & Saturday 5/2 at 2pm & 7pm at the MOUNTAIN MUSIC ROOM (New location). See the APRIL movie lineup here.

[Sun City West] The Sun City West Desert Garden Club will be hosting its FINAL SPRING SALES, on Thursday, 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 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] 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 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)

[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.

[Sun City] On Sunday, May 3rd, the Community Church of Sun City, will be celebrating 50 years of serving the community with a special anniversary event. The celebration will reflect on decades of connection, faith, and local impact, while bringing residents together to honor its history and continued role in Sun City. See the full article at YourValley.net

[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] Rec Centers of Sun City “HOT FUN OUTTA THE SUN” concert series is kicking off on Wednesday, May 6th at the Sundial Recreation Center. Southbound Rider Band, an Allman Brothers Tribute, will be performing.

[Sun City West] The 303 West Band comes to Sun City West and the Palm Ridge Recreation Center on Tuesday, May 12, at 6 p.m. inside the Palm Ridge Recreation Center.

Design your own fun, be it dancing, games, or just plain hanging out, at The Bash! You’ll be able to play fun games such as corn hole, large-scale Jenga, neo-prene axe throwing and so much more. Feel free to also bring your favorite card and board games as well.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 per person and are available at the R.H. Johnson Box Office or online at suncitywest.com/tickets.

[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!

HOME OF THE WEEK: Triple digit temps will be here before you know it, maybe a home with a pool is the best way to combat the heat this summer. (link)

Property listed by Tim & Amy Nixon with My Home Group Real Estate, LLC

Calligraphy Society of Sun City, is offering their next "Introduction to Calligraphy" class on April 28, May 1, 5, 8, 2026, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. The cost of the 4-session class is $44 per person, plus $8 for club membership. This class is offered in the Calligraphy room at the Sundial Center. All supplies are included in the class price. For further information, please contact Club President, Carolyn Gurney, at 520-709-9745.

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

Another image from my friend Bruce Donaldson, of a lovebird near his home in Arrowhead Ranch.

The Sun City Scoop Newsletter is growing fast, and in an effort to make sure I’m providing the content you want to see, please do me a favor and complete this survey. Thank you 🙏

Thank you to everyone who has completed the survey! 🙏

If you know someone who would benefit from the Sun City Scoop, please forward this email to them. 🙌

If you want to learn more about who is publishing this newsletter, click here.