746 dated briefs from across the Phoenix Valley. Older stories preserve what was reported at the time; opening details can change.
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Cacti in White Tank Mountain Regional Park near Waddell. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Venske · CC BY-SA 3.0
Maricopa County Parks says county residents get a buy one, get one camping offer at White Tank Mountain Regional Park from Sept. 18 through Oct. 31. The park's September calendar also lists Butterfly Monitoring and a Discovery Station on Saturday, Sept. 19, an America 250 Lunch n' Learn on the saguaro on Sept. 21, and a Saguaros in Sunset walk the same evening that requires registration and is capped at 20 people. The annual fire ban runs through Sept. 30.
Source: Maricopa County ParksSuperstition Mountain near Apache Junction. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Waqcku at English Wikipedia · Public domain
Apache Junction stacks two family events at Flatiron Community Park, 100 N. Apache Trail, on Saturday, Sept. 12. The Power Wheels Derby runs 4:30 to 7 p.m. for drivers ages 2 to 7 in stock 12-volt power wheels only, with car numbers handed out at check-in; helmets are encouraged but not required, and open-toed shoes are not allowed. Movie in the Park follows with Cars from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Full rules are on the city calendar linked from the Discover Apache Junction listing.
Source: Discover Apache JunctionHistoric downtown Avondale. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Marine 69-71 · CC BY-SA 4.0
FoodieLand's traveling food festival sets up at Phoenix Raceway, 7602 Jimmie Johnson Drive, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 25 to 27. Hours are Friday 3 to 10 p.m., Saturday 1 to 10 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 10 p.m. The event is ticketed, and the organizer's Avondale page covers general and accessible parking, rideshare, transit, re-entry, kids' tickets and what you can bring. The vendor lineup and ticket prices were not posted on the page when we checked, so confirm before buying.
The Cardinals host the Seahawks at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1:25 p.m., and the Westgate Entertainment District calendar builds a whole weekend around it. Artisan Alley, a free market at Fountain Park, runs Friday, Sept. 18 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; free live music plays Fountain Park at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and As You Wish Pottery marks its anniversary weekend with $19.95 Family Fun Passes. Westgate lists paid parking on game day from 9:25 a.m. to 3:25 p.m., so plan the walk in.
Source: Westgate Entertainment District eventsDowntown Mesa. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Ixnayonthetimmay · CC BY 3.0
Phoenix Food Festivals brings its Mesa Night Market to the parking lot at 1920 W. Broadway Road on Saturday, Sept. 12. Admission and parking are free. The listing promises all Asian food vendors, snow skin mooncakes, boba and bao, a J-rock band at 6:30 p.m. and more than 20 artist booths with handmade crafts and anime-inspired goods. The listing shows 4 to 9 p.m. in its header and 6 to 9 p.m. in the details, so plan on the evening and confirm before you go.
Fall Arizona Restaurant Week returns Friday, Sept. 18 through Sunday, Sept. 27, per the Arizona Restaurant Association's listing in the Daily Independent calendar. Participating restaurants serve three-course menus at $33, $44 or $55, and the association says more than 200 restaurants around the state signed up, with many first-time participants. Menus and the full list are at arizonarestaurantweek.com, and the association recommends making reservations.
Source: Daily Independent calendar (Arizona Restaurant Association)Vecina food photography; not a photograph establishing opening status at the new location. Image source: Arizona Foothills Magazine
Chef James Fox's Vecina opens its second location Friday, Sept. 18 in McCormick Ranch, a room Arizona Foothills Magazine describes as over three times the size of the original Arcadia restaurant, with private dining areas, a mezzanine, a custom mural by Tato Caraveo and an open patio with lake views. Menu carryovers include the karaage and the Faroe Island salmon tacos with yuzu kosho aioli, joined by a mesquite-grilled prime carne asada ribeye and gambas al ajillo. Fox said the original's size "has always created some limitations," and the new location gives the team a chance to expand. Hours were not listed, so check before you go.
Source: Arizona Foothills MagazineSurprise community resource center photograph accompanying its opening coverage. Image source: Maricopa County newsroom
Maricopa County and the City of Surprise celebrated the grand opening of the Surprise Community & Resource Center on Sept. 3. The 35,000-square-foot building brings library services, workforce development, health and wellness programs, housing and benefit assistance, veteran and senior services, after-school and summer youth programs and three Head Start classrooms under one roof, consolidating services that used to sit in three separate facilities. The $27 million project combined $18 million in county ARPA funds with city contributions. Mayor Kevin Sartor said everyone who walks through the doors "will find the high-quality services, resources, and support they need." Hours and the address were not in the release, so check the city site.
Source: Maricopa County newsroomThe Tempe skyline. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Siphonophora · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nothing Bundt Cakes opens its Tempe Marketplace bakery Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 2010 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Suite 120. The center's listing says the "First 300 Guests upon Nothing Bundt Cakes' opening at 9 AM will each receive one (1) FREE Confetti Bundtlet," while supplies last and limit one per guest. The giveaway is tied to the brand's National Bring the Joy Day celebration, listed from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Source: Tempe Marketplace eventsAngry Chickz brand food photography; not a photograph establishing opening-day service. Image source: RestaurantNews.com
Angry Chickz opens its first Avondale restaurant Friday, Sept. 11 at 10285 W. McDowell Road, Suite A100, with festivities starting at 11 a.m. It is the Nashville-style hot chicken chain's fourth Arizona location and 47th overall. Per the announcement, "the first 100 guests will receive a limited-edition Angry Chickz jersey, while the first 500 will have the opportunity to enter an on-site raffle for Angry Chickz for a Year and additional food prizes." The menu runs tenders, sliders and bowls with heat levels from "country" to "angry," plus mac and cheese, coleslaw and fries.
Source: RestaurantNews.comAn aerial view of Chandler. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Chris J · CC BY-SA 2.0
Black Rock Coffee Bar opens its newest Chandler shop Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 3103 S. McQueen Road. The company says opening day brings "$3 medium drinks all day," and the celebration continues Sept. 16 with its signature grand-opening sticker giveaway. CEO Mark Davis said the chain has "seen tremendous momentum across the valley" and is building on it with the Chandler location. Hours were not listed in the announcement, so check the shop before you go.
Source: GlobeNewswire (Black Rock Coffee Bar)The historic Woolworth building in Glendale. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Marine 69-71 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Noche UFC lands at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale on Saturday, Sept. 12, the promotion's Mexican Independence Day card. UFC says it is the first of "seven high-profile live events in Arizona over the next three years." Prelims start at 10 a.m. Arizona time and the main card at 2 p.m., an afternoon show rather than the usual late night. Tickets went on sale in July through Ticketmaster, with an eight-per-person limit. The fight card has shifted since the announcement, so check UFC.com for the current main event before you buy.
Source: UFCGoodyear City Hall. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: RandomMainstream · CC BY-SA 4.0
Downtown Goodyear's GSQ announced six more businesses on Sept. 10: Sephora, J.Crew Factory Outlet, Lovesac, Postino, Miel de Agave and V's Barber Shop. They join a lineup that already includes Nordstrom Rack, CAVA, Fogo de Chao, California Fish Grill, Paris Baguette and Spinato's, and the city says Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Magdalena and Flower Child are expected to open before the end of 2026. Sephora and Postino both ranked in residents' top 10 requests in the city's retail survey. No opening dates were given for the six new names.
Source: Metro Phoenix AllianceDowntown Mesa. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Ixnayonthetimmay · CC BY 3.0
Lucky Strike Mesa hosts its Lucky Launch Party Saturday, Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1754 W. Southern Ave. The listing promises "one free game of bowling and one $10 arcade card per guest," complimentary snacks while supplies last, photo ops, a giveaway entry and a full bar for adults. Bowling is first-come, first-served based on lane availability, so the early crowd gets the lanes.
Source: Eventbrite (Lucky Strike Mesa)Phoenix viewed from the surrounding hills. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Bigmikebmw · CC BY-SA 3.0
The City of Phoenix El Grito Celebration runs Saturday, Sept. 12 from 4 to 11 p.m. at 4th Avenue and Washington Street downtown. The lineup includes La Original Banda Maguey, Banda Mach, Mariachi Continental Azteca and Fiesta Mexicana Dance Company, with a 60-member Banda de Guerra Bomberos Nogales leading the El Grito ceremony at 8:15 p.m. and a fireworks show over the skyline after. The city lists nearly 100 vendor booths of Mexican food, artisans and community groups, plus family activities and lucha libre. Kids 12 and under get in free; general admission tickets are sold at elgritophoenix.com.
Source: City of PhoenixQueen Creek Town Hall. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Tony the Marine · CC BY-SA 3.0
Queen Creek Olive Mill's 13th Annual Garlic Festival covers two weekends: Sept. 19 and 20, then Sept. 26 and 27, at 25062 S. Meridian Road. Admission and parking are free. The lineup includes cooking demonstrations by owner Perry Rea, Olive Oil 101 classes, estate tours, live music, wine and beer tastings, face painting and a garlic-inspired menu from del Piero Kitchen, with garlic-stuffed olives and garlic olive oil growlers on offer. The festival was recently named Best Festival in PHOENIX Magazine's 2026 Arizona Travel Awards.
Source: Eventbrite (Queen Creek Olive Mill)Junk in the Trunk publicity photograph. Photo: Bridget Michelle Photography. Image source: AZ Big Media
Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market marks 15 years with a three-day run at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Friday, Sept. 18 is VIP shopping from 4 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 19 opens early entry at 9 a.m. and general admission from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 20 runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Advance prices through Sept. 17 are $10 general, $25 early entry and $50 VIP, rising to $12, $30 and $60 after. Expect 160 handpicked vendors across 120,000-plus square feet, live music and food trucks. Owner Heather Nash says it started in 2011 "as a space for people to share their love for vintage."
Source: AZ Big MediaVerrado in Buckeye. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Adam Zaklikowski · CC BY 3.0
Arizona artist Bekah Unsworth was chosen to design the mural in Buckeye's Downtown Library programming room, and she turned it into a game. After talking with library staff, patrons and a STEAM class, she learned people wanted the art to be interactive, so she hid Sonoran animals throughout it as Eye Spy elements. The central image is a feminine tree holding a child who is reading, a nod to librarians, teachers and caregivers. Look for the Buckeye touches too: cotton fairies in the bottom left, a cowboy kid riding a rainbow fox in the bottom right. The city is also commissioning 16 banners for light poles at Town Park, eight along the west approach and eight along the north, on the theme Light in the Park.
Source: City of BuckeyeThe Gilbert Heritage District. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Tony the Marine ( talk ) · CC BY-SA 3.0
Gilbert's Sound Bites Music & Food Festival returns Friday, Oct. 9, 2026 from 4:30 to 10 p.m. at Gilbert Regional Park, and it is an all-ages event. Blues Traveler and the Spin Doctors headline. New this year is a Happy Hour from 4:30 to 6 p.m. that the town says is included with every ticket, giving early access to the food and bars. This one is ticketed, not free, so grab yours before the date.
Source: Discover GilbertAvila campus publicity photograph accompanying the education report. Image source: The Catholic Sun
Avila University Arizona has started its second academic year in Goodyear, welcoming its second-ever class of students. The campus sits inside Goodyear Civic Square off McDowell Road and 150th Drive, with large modern classrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows and the library next door. It opened in August 2025 and its second fall semester began Aug. 31, 2026. The graduate programs are all STEM-designated: an MBA in Project Management, an MBA in Healthcare Administration, and a Master of Science in Technology Management with concentrations in artificial intelligence, business analytics and data science. The newest addition is a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity.
Source: The Catholic SunKids Day publicity photograph; not documentation of the scheduled event date. Image source: Eventbrite
Kids Day Maricopa returns Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Maricopa Wells Middle School, 45725 W. Honeycutt Ave. Admission is free and so is parking, with doors opening at 9:30 a.m. The day is built around health, crime prevention, child safety and environmental awareness, and it runs six hours for all ages.
Source: EventbriteExisting brand location photograph; the planned location in this story is not pictured. Image source: What Now Phoenix
Angie's is adding nine restaurants across Arizona, and two of them are Mesa's: one at Alma School Road and Guadalupe Road, the other at Crismon Road and Southern Avenue. The rest of the list covers three Phoenix sites, Queen Creek, Maricopa, Goodyear and Casa Grande. The company said it hopes to open the first three within six weeks and the remaining locations by the end of the year. No opening dates have been announced for the Mesa sites yet.
Source: What Now PhoenixPhoenix viewed from the surrounding hills. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Bigmikebmw · CC BY-SA 3.0
Denu Hotel & Spa opens Sept. 16, 2026 in a 17-story tower at 1 East Adams Street. Hoodline describes it as downtown Phoenix's first luxury hotel with a full-service spa. The building holds 236 rooms, including 15 guest suites and one signature penthouse. Dining is built in: Sarten Kitchen & Bar is an all-day Sonoran restaurant where dishes are shaped by fire, smoke, cast iron or embers, there is a ground-floor cocktail lounge, and Nidos Rooftop Bar sits on the 17th floor next to the pool.
Kuza opens Sept. 16, 2026 in north Scottsdale, built around an open robata grill and a raw bar. It is the third Valley concept from Clive Collective, alongside The Americano and Tell Your Friends, with Executive Chef Erik Davila leading the kitchen. The menu leans on charcoal-grilled meats and seafood, sushi and raw preparations, including a Chicken Negima glazed and rotated repeatedly over charcoal, and the restaurant says its fish arrives twice weekly from Tokyo's Toyosu Market. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 5 to 11 p.m.
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