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We celebrated the one year anniversary of the Sun City Scoop last month, and this is the 50th Edition of the newsletter.

Thank you to everyone who reads each week and has supported the newsletter. I had no idea what I was doing when I started, and I’m pretty proud of what it has grown into.

In this week’s Scoop:

  • We have a winner, congratulations to Richard!!

  • Whole Foods is coming to Surprise

  • Some donkeys are getting a new home

  • And so much more!

The Sun City Scoop just passed its 1 year anniversary and a celebration is in order. None of this would be possible without you tuning in each week.

The winner of the $100 gift card to Babbo Italian Eatery, has been drawn and the winner has been notified. Congratulations Richard!!

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~ Whole Foods Market is planning its first location in Surprise as part of a new retail development, called Prasda East, near Loop 303 and Cactus Road. The proposed store would bring the popular natural and organic grocer to the fast-growing northwest Valley, giving residents another high-end grocery option closer to home. If approved, the project would mark a major retail addition for the Surprise area. (link)

~ Officials have approved a plan to remove dozens of wild burros from the Lake Pleasant area as their growing population begins to strain the desert ecosystem and compete with native wildlife for food and water. The animals will be humanely captured and relocated or made available for adoption through the Bureau of Land Management. The effort aims to better balance wildlife and protect the surrounding desert habitat. (link)

~ Residents of The Grand, the City of Surprise is hosting a Residential Waste Cleanup Event on March 14th, from 7am-1pm at the Northwest Regional Landfill (19401 W Deer Valley Road). (link)

The Residential Waste Cleanup event is designed to help with removing larger items that aren't easily disposed of in a regular trash can, including home improvement materials such as carpet, tile, drywall; other items like yard waste (tree limbs, leaves, etc.); and larger household items such as chairs, tables, etc.

Why Phoenix Streets Form Such a Perfect Grid

If you have ever noticed how easy it is to navigate Phoenix, you can thank a city design that dates back long before modern development. The Valley’s famously clean street grid has roots in ancient irrigation systems built by the Hohokam more than a thousand years ago.

The Hohokam constructed hundreds of miles of canals to carry water from the Salt River across the desert, creating one of the most sophisticated irrigation systems in North America at the time. When American settlers arrived in the late 1800s, they reused many of these same canal corridors to establish farms and communities. As Phoenix grew, roads were often built alongside these canals or along the same surveyed lines.

That practical approach eventually evolved into the orderly mile by mile grid we know today, where major roads typically run north south or east west and are spaced about a mile apart. Many of the canals themselves still operate today as part of the modern water system run by the Salt River Project.

So the next time you are cruising along a straight Phoenix roadway, there is a good chance you are following a path shaped by ancient engineering, early farmers, and more than a century of city planning.

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Our neighbor keeps an eye on things.” While well-intentioned, neighbors have their own schedules, travel plans, and limits. They usually are not checking water leaks, electrical panels, AC systems, rooflines, irrigation timers, or signs of storm or pest damage. Most are not documenting visits or noticing the small red flags that turn into big repairs when missed.

A professional home watch service provides scheduled, consistent inspections by trained eyes whose sole job is to protect your home while you are away. If your home is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, relying on a casual check-in is a risk that can get expensive fast. Protect your investment. Hire a professional.

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

[Sun City] This week’s movie is ‘JUST GO WITH IT’. Showtimes are Wednesday 3/11 at 2pm & 7pm at the Marinette Rec Center & Saturday 3/14 at 2pm & 7pm at the MOUNTAIN MUSIC ROOM (New location). See the MARCH movie lineup here.

[Sun City] As part of the WINTER Ticketed Mini-Series, BOURBON STREET BASH will be performing on Wednesday, March 11th, at 6pm at the Sundial Recreation Center. (link)

Starring Mister Boogie Woogie, Bourbon Street Bash is a handclapping, foot stomping, one-of-a-kind tribute to the music of New Orleans. International superstar Mister Boogie Woogie, sings the hits of famed Blues artists Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, and – of course – Fats Domino. Come for an evening of classics like Blueberry Hill, I’m, Ready,Blue Monday, Holy Cow, Working in a Coal Mine, and many, many more

[Sun City West] The Recreation Centers of Sun City West is happy to bring back its popular Spring Fest music series for another great two-day lineup of music at Beardsley Park!

This year’s music series kicks off on Thursday, March 12, with the band Americana taking the stage. The following night, Friday, March 13, the series will conclude with a performance by Amarillo by Morning – A George Strait Tribute. (link)

[Sun City] Sundial Spring Arts and Craft Fair - Celebrate Creativity in Bloom

Event details: March 13th and 14th, from 9am-2pm at the Sundial Recreation Center.

Local artists and crafters, offering unique, handmade gifts. Shop for one-of-a-kind treasures! Sun City Rockhounds will have a mineral sale from 8:00AM-1:00PM on Saturday. Find the perfect gem. Spring-themed activities for all ages. Fill up your passport and enter a raffle to win a gift basket. Food & refreshments on site. All are welcome! Come celebrate the start of spring with creativity, art, and community fun! (link)

Join us for a vibrant fair filled with local art, handmade crafts, and springtime fun!

[Sun City] The Sun City Clay Club is holding their Annual Pottery Sale at the Fairway Recreation Center on Saturday, March 14 from 9 am to 3 pm, and on Sunday, March 15 from 9 am to 2 pm. Fairway Recreation Center is located at 10600 W Peoria Ave. Please note, Fairway Recreation Center is a new venue for this year's sale. There will be over 40+ clay artists represented with thousands of unique handcraft items. Raffles tickets will be available for yard totems and pottery baskets.

[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 West] Don your favorite green outfit and get ready to kick up those heels as Kilted Spirit returns for a St. Patrick’s Day show at noon, Tuesday, March 17th, inside the Palm Ridge Rec Center.

Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 per person (six tickets per rec card for cabaret-style seating) and are available at the R.H. Johnson Box Office or online at suncitywest.com/tickets.

[Sun City] As part of the WINTER Ticketed Mini-Series, STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS will be performing on Wednesday, March 18th, at 6pm at the Sundial Recreation Center. (link)

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, multiple Grammy winner, and prolific singer/songwriter, Paul Simon, is lauded as one of the all-time greats. The multi-faceted Chaching to his most popular solo hits: Me & Julio Down by the Schoolyard, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, Mother and Child Reunion, You Can Call Me Al, Kodachrome … including a range of selections from his unparalleled 1985 album Graceland. The multi-faceted Chach Snook stars in this tribute and is joined on stage by arranger/pianist/percussionist Khris Dodge and a collection of musicians who will honor this living legend.

[Sun City West] Final Top Hat of the season! The Top Hat Series continues with SOULTOWN TRAIN performing at the Palm Ridge Rec Center on March 19th. Individual show tickets are $30 and available online and through the RHJ Box Office. (link)

[Sun City] The Congregational Church of Sun City’s Annual Rummage Sale runs Thursday, March 19th and Friday, March 20th, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at 18401 N. 99th Ave., Sun City. Expect plenty of bargain hunting across a wide mix of donated items, with proceeds supporting church programs. (link)

[Sun City West] Movie Night at the Stardust Theatre Join them for an evening showing of RESERVOIR DOGS on Thursday, MARCH 19TH at 6pm, or a matinee showing of THE LOTS DOGS on Friday, MARCH 20TH at 1pm. (link)

[Sun City] The St. Elizabeth Seton Knights of Columbus Council are hosting the Frank Comaianni Annual Charity Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 21st at the Willow Creek Golf Course in Sun City. (link)

Don’t forget, Luke Days 2026 is happening in March!

Luke AFB, Glendale, AZ, USA, Open House and Air Show, March 21 -22, 2026

[Sun City West] SUN CITY WEST DESERT GARDEN CLUB is hosting a Hands-On Cactus & Succulent Workshop. Residents looking to sharpen their gardening skills — or simply add a little desert beauty to their homes — won’t want to miss an upcoming hands-on workshop focused on cactus and succulent care.

[Sun City West] The Sounds of the Southwest Singers will be performing on Sunday, March 22nd, at 3pm, at the Crown of Life Luterhan Church at 13131 W. Spanish Garden Drive in Sun City West. (link)

On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from 10:00–11:30 a.m., gardening enthusiasts are invited to gather at Sagebrush Room, Beardsley Recreation Center for an engaging and practical session on planting, watering, and maintaining cactus and succulents.

The workshop will be led by Kim Andrews of the Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent
Society, an organization dedicated to education, conservation, and appreciation of desert plants.Andrews will guide participants through proper planting techniques, watering schedules suited to Arizona’s climate, and maintenance tips to help these hardy plants thrive year-round. Unlike lecture-only presentations, this session offers hands-on instruction, giving attendees the opportunity to practice techniques and ask questions in real time. Whether you’re new to desert gardening or looking to refine your skills, this workshop promises valuable insights for gardeners of all experience levels.

The event is open to all SCW Rec Card Holders, making it a perfect opportunity for
community members to learn something new while connecting with fellow plant enthusiasts.

[Sun City] The Sun City Women's Chorus will be having their spring concert on March 28th 2026 at 1pm at the Sundial recreation center. Tickets are $5.00 and are available at the door or from any chorus member.

[Sun City] The Sun City Home Owners Association is hosting a Community Day of Service, giving residents a chance to come together and give back right here in Sun City. Volunteers will work on local projects that support and beautify the community while connecting with neighbors along the way. It is a great opportunity to lend a hand and show pride in the place we call home.

This event is being held from 7-12pm on Friday, March 27th. Registration is required and open now. (link)

[Sun City] LakeView United Methodist Church Craft Fair is being held on Saturday, March 28th from 9am-2pm. Vendor tables are available until March 20th.

The March edition of the Sun City Real Estate News, is out! (link)

I’m breaking down what happened in February, plus a look back at 2025 and how it shaped our current market.

The Sun City Real Estate News is a real estate newsletter focused on the communities of Sun City, Sun City West & The Grand, and will be published each month with data & insight on what is happening in the market. From a quick snapshot to a deep dive of relevant data, the Sun City Real Estate News will help keep you informed and up to date.

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