With Election Day coming up next Tuesday, we're sharing a reminder about getting those mail-in ballots turned in, along with information on where you can drop them off locally.

We've also got some great community news, including a food drive organized by our local Lions Clubs, a little Arizona history, and plenty of things happening around Sun City, Sun City West, and The Grand. It's a great time of year to be out and about, and there's certainly no shortage of things going on!

As always, thanks for reading and for being part of the Sun City Scoop community!

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~ The Sun City Host Lions and Sun City Mid-Week Lions Clubs are teaming up for their 5th Annual Food Drive on Saturday, November 14th, benefiting Valley View Community Food Bank. It's a great opportunity to help local families in need and make a difference right here in our community! To learn more, email the Sun City Host Lions.

~ REMINDER: Daylight Savings Time is ending this weekend, so be sure and DO NOTHING with your clocks. ⏰ 😎

~ Still Have Your Mail-In Ballot? Here's Where to Drop It Off!

The recommended deadline to mail your ballot for the November 3 election was Tuesday, October 27, so if you haven't sent yours back, it's time to drop it off instead! Local voting locations include Faith Presbyterian Church in Sun City (16000 N. Del Webb Blvd.), R.H. Johnson Recreation Center in Sun City West (19803 N. R.H. Johnson Blvd.), and Surprise City Hall (16000 N. Civic Center Plaza). Be sure to sign your ballot envelope and return it by 7 p.m. on Election Day, November 3

For a complete list of official ballot drop boxes, voting locations, and operating hours, visit Maricopa County's Voting Location Finder

~ All That Rain and Flooding: Is It Helping Lake Powell and Lake Mead?

The recent storms and flooding across Utah, Arizona, and Nevada have caused plenty of problems, but there's a silver lining. All that water is helping refill one of the Southwest's most important reservoirs.

Lake Powell has risen nearly 11 feet since mid-September, including a significant jump over the past week. Heavy rainfall and flooding along the San Juan River and its tributaries have sent a substantial amount of water into the reservoir. By some estimates, the recent storms have added roughly 600,000 acre-feet of water, equivalent to nearly 200 billion gallons!

Lake Mead, however, hasn't experienced the same boost. That's because much of the rainfall occurred upstream of Lake Powell, and water releases through Glen Canyon Dam are carefully controlled.

Before we celebrate too much, both reservoirs remain only about one-quarter full. While the recent storms have provided some much-needed relief, a healthy winter snowpack and strong spring runoff will be far more important to their long-term recovery.

Still, after years of drought and declining water levels, it's nice to see some encouraging news for the Colorado River system.

There may still be time to head north to the Flagstaff area and experience the fall colors!! The Discover Flagstaff Leaf-O-Meter makes it easy to follow along, with regular status updates showing where the leaves are changing and which areas are getting close to prime viewing time.

Visit their website to see the color status of the leaves in several different locations.

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Long before Scottsdale became a luxury resort destination, some of America's wealthiest and most influential visitors were traveling into the Bradshaw Mountains northwest of Phoenix. Their destination? A secluded desert oasis called Castle Hot Springs.

Castle Hot Springs opened in 1896, making it one of Arizona's earliest luxury resorts. Built around natural mineral hot springs, the property offered lush gardens, elegant accommodations, and a peaceful escape from city life.

Getting there wasn't easy. Early visitors traveled by train and then endured a lengthy stagecoach ride through the desert. But for those who could afford it, the journey was worth the trouble.

The resort attracted an impressive guest list, including members of the Rockefeller, Vanderbilt and Astor families, President Theodore Roosevelt, and Western novelist Zane Grey. Guests enjoyed horseback riding, swimming, tennis, hiking, and soaking in the naturally heated waters.

During World War II, the U.S. military leased Castle Hot Springs as a rehabilitation center for wounded servicemen.

Among those who recovered there was a young Navy lieutenant named John F. Kennedy, who spent time at the resort in 1945 while recovering from wartime injuries. Sixteen years later, he would become president of the United States.

The resort remained a popular destination for decades, but a devastating fire in 1976 destroyed its historic Palm House, forcing the property to close.

For more than 40 years, the resort's future remained uncertain as the property changed hands and fell into disrepair.

That changed in 2014, when new owners began an extensive restoration. Castle Hot Springs finally reopened in 2019, bringing one of Arizona's most storied resorts back to life.

Today, it's once again an exclusive luxury retreat, complete with private accommodations, farm-to-table dining, outdoor adventures, and the natural hot springs that made it famous more than a century ago.

And it's all tucked away in the Bradshaw Mountains, just a short drive from the Northwest Valley.

DID YOU KNOW? Castle Hot Springs takes its name from the surrounding rock formations, which early visitors thought resembled the walls and towers of a castle.

[Sun City West] New to Sun City West? The community's Newcomers Open House is a great opportunity to discover local clubs, recreation programs, activities, and ways to get involved. Whether you've just moved in or have been here a while, it's a chance to meet neighbors and explore everything Sun City West has to offer. (link)

The free event takes place Wednesday, October 28, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Palm Ridge Recreation Center, 13800 W. Deer Valley Drive.

[Sun City West] Movie Night at the Stardust Theatre Join them for a matinee showing of MONTY PYTHON & THE HOLY GRAIL, on Thursday, October 29th, at 6pm (link)

[Sun City] This week’s movie is ‘M3GAN’. Showtimes are Wednesday 10/28 at 2pm & 7pm at the Marinette Rec Center & Saturday 10/31 at 2pm & 7pm at the MOUNTAIN MUSIC ROOM (New location). See the OCTOBER movie lineup here.

[Sun City] Sun City’s Sun Bowl Fall Concert Series is underway, with the next show happening on Sunday, NOVEMBER 1ST. Come see JUKEBOX 6, which offers a variety of cover hits from six decades of music performing line
dances, oldies, country, pop, jazz, Motown, and more! (link)

[Surprise] Who says you need changing leaves and chilly weather to celebrate fall? The Desert Fall Festival brings a taste of autumn to the Valley with seasonal activities, festive attractions, and plenty of opportunities to get into the fall spirit.

Located near Greenway and Bullard in Surprise, the festival runs through November 1st, making it an easy outing for local residents looking for something different this season. (link)

[Sun City West] The Sun City West Friday Farmers Market has moved indoors for the summer, at the Sun City West Foundation. The market is open from 10a-2pm each Friday. (link & map)

[Sun City] The Sun City Farmers Market is sticking around for the summer, with new hours designed for early birds. Stop by Bell Recreation Center on Thursday mornings from 9am-1pm. to browse fresh produce, baked goods, and offerings from local vendors. (link)

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

[Sun City] 🎶 Sun City’s Fall Concert Series is almost here! The 2026 Sundial Fall Ticketed Concert Mini-Series kicks off November 4th, and individual tickets are available for sale now. (link)

[Sun City] Skip the Black Friday crowds at the mall and shop local instead! The 41st Annual Sun City Fall Arts and Crafts Festival returns to the Sundial Recreation Center on November 27 and 28, featuring more than 400 local artisans selling handmade gifts, jewelry, artwork and more. Admission and parking are free, and you'll also find live entertainment, five food trucks, raffles, and even visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Friday, November 27, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and continues on Saturday, November 28, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Sundial Recreation Center located at 14801 N 103rd Avenue in Sun City.

[Sun City] Sun City is celebrating America's 250th Anniversary with a full week of festivities, November 8th-15th. From a Veterans Tribute Concert and golf specials to a BBQ, karaoke, and a community parade on Saturday, there's something for everyone. The celebration wraps up Sunday with the opening of a 50-year-old time capsule buried beneath the Liberty Bell at Bell Recreation Center in 1976, offering a fascinating glimpse into Sun City's past! (link)

🏡 HOME OF THE WEEK: This beautifully maintained Verbena model sits on a spacious, private corner lot and features a rare 3-car garage with two extended bays, storage cabinets, and workbenches. Inside, you'll find a generous floor plan, granite countertops, gas cooking, and plenty of living space, while the backyard offers a private oasis with an expansive paver patio and built-in outdoor kitchen. Bonus: The roof underlayment was replaced in 2026!

See all the pics & details here.

Property listed by Leolinda Bowers with Leolinda Realty

J.D. Manning, the publisher of the Sun City Scoop, is also a local Realtor. If you have questions about the market or your specific real estate situation,
you can reach J.D. at (480) 797-8975

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Some of the images you see in the newsletter are created using modern AI image tools. Whenever possible, I use my own photos from around Sun City and the West Valley, but sometimes it is helpful to generate an image that better illustrates a story or historical topic. These images are used simply to supplement the articles and help tell the story visually, not to mislead or deceive readers.