Mayor Joe Pizzillo has been named the 2026 Outstanding Public Official by the West Valley Regional Chamber, the city says, an award that recognizes someone in public office whose work has improved quality of life across the West Valley and who stays visible in the community. He accepted it at the chamber's annual Awards Gala on Friday, Sept. 11, at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park. Pizzillo has served Goodyear for 22 years: he joined the city council in 2009, was appointed mayor in December 2021 to complete the term of the late Mayor Georgia Lord, and was elected mayor in 2022. Before the council he was the city's budget manager. He said the recognition reflects what happens when the council, staff and community partners work together.
Source: City of GoodyearThe bingo fundraiser presentation pictured in the source report. Image source: InMaricopa
Monday night bingo at Duke's Roadhouse is a fundraiser in disguise. The weekly game is run by the nonprofit Maricopa Moose, which donates all bingo proceeds to a local charity the committee votes on each month, InMaricopa reports, and Duke's matches every dollar, a tradition the restaurant offered when it agreed to host. The most recent picks, the Maricopa Arts Council and Maricopa Mustangs Special Olympics, took home more than $1,700 combined at the Sept. 14 game. Since last October the nights have raised more than $11,500 counting the match. Maricopa Mustangs is in its second season and now has more than 70 athletes from age 8 to 56.
Source: InMaricopaDowntown Mesa. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Ixnayonthetimmay · CC BY 3.0
Mesa Main Library at 64 E. 1st St. is displaying the Water - Use It Wisely Water Tower through September, a 16-foot structure built from 120 one-gallon jugs that makes everyday household water use something you can actually stand next to, the city says. Visitors can pick up a free copy of Landscape Watering by the Numbers: A Guide for the Arizona Desert, which is also available at the Dobson Ranch, Gateway and Red Mountain libraries, at city customer service on N. Center Street, and at participating nurseries including A&P, SummerWinds, Treeland and Moon Valley. On Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, the library's Saguaro Room hosts a free program, Take the Guesswork Out of Watering in the Desert, with no registration required; everyone who attends is entered to win a signed book by Arizona Plant Lady Noelle Johnson or a $50 nursery gift card.
Source: City of MesaThe historic Arizona Bank building in Peoria. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Tony the Marine (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0
Peoria Sports Complex is opening the outfield for an overnight campout on Saturday, Oct. 17, the city announced. Campers pitch a tent on the same field professional players use, with outdoor games, dinner, breakfast and a showing of Angels in the Outfield on the stadium videoboard. The evening also includes access to the Desert West Night Market, 5 to 9 p.m., with food trucks and vendors on the main concourse. The campout runs 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. and costs $25 a person, which covers meals, activities and a commemorative patch. Tents must be spike-free and no bigger than 12 by 12 feet, and space is capped at the first 200 people.
Source: City of PeoriaBrand photography; the Camelback cafe is not pictured. Photo: PRESS Coffee
PRESS Coffee, the Phoenix-based roaster, will celebrate the grand opening of its Camelback Corridor cafe on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17 and 18, with complimentary treats, giveaways and fall activations both days, What Now Phoenix reports. The 2,029-square-foot cafe at 3133 E. Camelback Road seats 38 inside and 48 outside, making it one of the roaster's largest openings this year, and it is the company's 23rd location. A food truck and an on-site DJ run both days, the pumpkin spice lineup launches that weekend, and the first 20 guests each day get a $5 gift card. The space, designed with Dalke Design Group, has laptop-friendly counters and a bookable conference room.
Source: What Now 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's biggest outdoor market returns for its ninth season. The Visit Queen Creek calendar lists a special Queen Creek Family Market event on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Ellsworth Loop at Aldecoa Drive, with a second October date on the 24th. Admission and parking are free. The market has run since 2017 and says it now brings more than 100 local vendors two days a month: bakers, boutiques, home decor, apparel, crafts and a rotating food truck lineup, plus face painting for the kids. It is pet friendly. From November the season moves to Schnepf Farms, starting with a Thanksgiving turkey and pie raffle on Nov. 14.
Source: Visit Queen CreekThe San Tan Mountains, viewed from Queen Creek. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Beyond My Ken · CC BY-SA 4.0
San Tan Valley has been a town for a year, and it is marking the anniversary with a free pancake breakfast open to everyone on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 7 to 10 a.m. at Mountain View Church, 4815 W. Hunt Highway. In the town's own words: come celebrate one year of incorporation with the Town of San Tan Valley, a morning of free pancakes, family-friendly activities and community connection as we celebrate this exciting milestone together. Same day, the San Tan Feastival food truck night runs 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Walmart lot, and the Young Entrepreneurs Market is 1 to 3 p.m. in San Tan Heights.
Source: SanTanValley.comThe Scottsdale Waterfront. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Joseph Plotz · CC BY 3.0
Bobby Thomson's 1951 pennant-winning home run got a name, the Shot Heard 'Round the World, and 75 years later nobody agrees on where the ball went. An exhibit about that moment and the search for the ball opens at Scottsdale Stadium in October, accessible during Fall League games and other selected dates, per Experience Scottsdale. Phoenix resident Eric O'Mara claims to own the ball and it will be on display; the exhibit lays out the testimony that supports his claim and the evidence that cuts against it. It runs Oct. 3 through Nov. 15, produced by the nonprofit Arizona Baseball Legacy and Experience and sponsored by the City of Scottsdale. Scottsdale Stadium is at 7408 E. Osborn Road; see the venue for admission details.
Source: Experience ScottsdaleSurprise Lake. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: RandomMainstream · CC0
Surprise Fiesta Grande returns to Mark Coronado Park on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 5 to 10 p.m., per the city calendar. The city bills it as an evening celebrating Hispanic culture, community and tradition, with authentic Mexican food, live music and folklorico dancing, a car show, lucha libre wrestling, pinatas, a petting zoo, inflatables and activities for all ages. The park is at 15960 N. Bullard Ave. The event is sponsored by Felix Construction. Six days later the city runs Pumpkin Splash at the Surprise Aquatic Center, 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 16, a swim among floating pumpkins with one to decorate and take home.
Source: City of SurpriseThe Tempe skyline. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Siphonophora · CC BY-SA 4.0
Downtown Tempe's running list of new businesses puts three additions in September 2026: Russo's NY Pizza, The Sandwich Spot at College and 6th, and Rally House at 7th and Mill. They join a 2026 class that already includes Roman God of Fire at Rio and Mill, Culinary Gangster near 5th and Mill, Ciao Pizza at 6th and Maple, and OG Taco and CASA Cantina at 6th and Mill. Still on the coming-soon list: Phantom Fox Beer Co. with Goat & Ram near 6th and Mill and Novel Ice Cream on 5th, both estimated this fall, plus Level 1 Arcade Bar at University and Mill in November. Opening dates move, and the district updates the list as it learns more.
Source: Downtown Tempe AuthorityCacti 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
White Tank Mountain Regional Park stacks three programs into two days next week, per the Maricopa County Parks calendar. Monday, Sept. 21 at 12:30 p.m., Ranger Jacque leads an America 250 Lunch n' Learn on the saguaro in the air-conditioned Nature Center classroom. Monday evening at 6, Saguaros in Sunset is a two-mile out-and-back on the mostly level Waddell trail that starts in daylight and returns after dark, so bring a flashlight; registration is required and it is capped at 20. Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 7 a.m., Ranger Derik's Morning Cactus Hike covers three miles on the Grey Fox trail and talks through which desert fruits and flowers you can actually harvest; registration required, capped at 30. Park entry is $10 per vehicle.
Grab a lab coat: Apache Junction Parks and Recreation hosts a free mad science event with more than 30 experiments to watch, touch and try, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Multi-generational Center, 1035 N. Idaho Road, the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent reports. No registration required. Questions go to 480-983-2181 or apachejunctionaz.gov/parks.
Source: Apache Junction/Gold Canyon IndependentHistoric downtown Avondale. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Marine 69-71 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Avondale's heritage festival returns with a carnival at 101 E. Lower Buckeye Road: Thursday, Oct. 22, 6 to 10 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 23, 6 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, Oct. 24, 3 p.m. to midnight; and Sunday, Oct. 25, 3 to 10 p.m., per the city's event page. Unlimited-ride wristbands are $17.99 online before Oct. 25 at 5 p.m., $20 at the event and good for one day; an online-only Mega Pass covers all four days for $102.25 if bought before Oct. 22. Parade registration and grand marshal nominations are open, with more details to come.
Source: City of AvondaleVerrado in Buckeye. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Adam Zaklikowski · CC BY 3.0
The city's events calendar lists six fall Movie in the Park nights, all 7 to 9 p.m.: Oct. 3, 9, 14 and 30, and Nov. 7 and 14. Before that, the Fire Department holds an open house with car seat checks 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. The 86th Halloween Carnival lands Oct. 24, 5 to 9 p.m., and the holidays start early with Cotton Fest and the Holiday Light Launch on Nov. 28. Check the city calendar for each night's park and film.
Source: City of BuckeyeThe historic Paramount Theatre in Casa Grande. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Tony the Marine ( talk ) · CC BY-SA 3.0
Segment 1 of the McCartney Road Improvement Project is about 60 percent complete, the city says in its latest infrastructure update. Crews have paved the additional travel lanes, rebuilt the Casa Grande Avenue intersection and added curb, gutter, sidewalks and street lighting. Next come raised medians and the outside lane ahead of final asphalt, and the signal at Pinal Avenue moves back for the new alignment. Infrastructure is about 51 percent of the city's FY2027 budget; a new Capital Improvement Projects page tracks every city-funded project.
The Cave Creek Museum opens its season Oct. 1, and the Arizona Gold Mining Experience, now in its fifth year, adds a new character for its first show of the season on Oct. 24, the Cave Creek/Carefree Independent reports. Meet El Monty Jackson, a crusty old miner who the museum says was a well-to-do gambler from back East before he came to Cave Creek to try his luck in the mining district. Also on the Carefree calendar: the Glass Pumpkin Patch fundraiser at Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion, 101 Easy St., listed by the Independent for Oct. 2 to 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, free.
Source: Cave Creek/Carefree IndependentChandler Municipal Airport publicity photograph; not a record of the announced tour session. Image source: City of Chandler
The city is offering free guided tours of Chandler Municipal Airport, 2380 S. Stinson Way, on Friday, Sept. 18, at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Each one-hour tour is capped at 14 guests and requires advance online registration. The tour includes a presentation from the airport manager, an airfield overview and a stop at the heliport. More dates follow on Oct. 16, Nov. 20 and Dec. 17, with registration opening three weeks before each. Bonus: for National Good Neighbor Day, City Hall's courtyard at 175 S. Arizona Ave. hands out free ice cream 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28.
Source: City of ChandlerThe historic Coolidge Woman’s Club building. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Tony the Marine ( talk ) · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Calvin Coolidge Days Parade is set for Saturday, Oct. 17, per the city's parade invitation, with entry applications due Friday, Oct. 9. Every entry is judged and first-place trophies go to the top marching, equestrian, civic and commercial entries. Floats are limited to one pulling vehicle, 20 feet wide, 50 feet long and 12 feet tall, and nothing gets thrown from a float; walkers can hand out candy along the sidewalk instead. Coolidge Days itself runs Oct. 16 to 18 at San Carlos Park, 300 W. Central Ave.
Source: City of CoolidgeMain Street in historic Florence. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Tony the Marine ( talk ) · CC BY-SA 3.0
Vice Mayor Nicole Buccellato was named Outstanding Elected Official of the Year by the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association, the Florence Reminder & Blade Tribune reports. The award recognizes an Arizona public official's contributions to quality of life through parks, recreation and culture, and she got congratulations from fellow council members at the council's Sept. 1 meeting.
Source: Florence Reminder & Blade TribuneThe 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 staff presented the Planning Commission with the next phase of Freestone Park, a 12.89-acre parcel near Freestone Parkway and Juniper Avenue that today holds four tennis courts, the East Valley Tribune reports. The plan adds 16 pickleball courts, a playground, a splash pad, a restroom building, paths, open turf, ramadas and shade structures, with design about 60 percent complete. Commissioners asked for shade over the splash pad. Of Freestone's 120 acres, 88 are developed and 32 are not.
Source: East Valley TribuneTanger Outlets venue photograph; not documentation of a specific Fall Fest date. Image source: Glendale Independent
Tanger Outlets Phoenix in Glendale closes out its summer family fun night series with a Fall Fest from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, the Glendale Independent reports. It is free, with games inspired by a certain blue puppy including Pass the Parcel and Keepy Uppy, audience contests, a DJ, an emcee, themed entertainment and giveaways. Bring old shoes of any kind, size or condition: Tanger's partnership with Sneaker Impact collects and repurposes them.
Source: Glendale IndependentGoodyear City Hall. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: RandomMainstream · CC BY-SA 4.0
Western wear retailer Cavender's plans to open its first Goodyear store on Oct. 2 at 1805 N. Pebble Creek Parkway in Market at Estrella Falls, the Litchfield Park/Goodyear Independent reports. The 15,086-square-foot store, Cavender's fifth in Arizona, will carry boots, clothing and accessories for adults and kids plus work boots and apparel, with boot fitting, hat shaping and boot stretching in store. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Source: Litchfield Park/Goodyear IndependentA view of Maricopa. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Chris J · CC BY-SA 2.0
InMaricopa's September rundown of every restaurant in the pipeline puts five names under construction at Legacy on Porter, the retail center rising east of Walmart at 17571 N. Porter Road: a second Chipotle that broke ground in late May, Jersey Mike's Subs, Texas tea chain HTeaO, the city's first Swig and the 1,500-square-foot Orlie's Taproom with a garage door onto its patio. Shell construction for Chipotle and Jersey Mike's should wrap by the start of 2027, with Chipotle serving by mid-2027 and Orlie's planned for mid-2027. Across town, Someburros is on track for a fall opening on Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway and a freestanding Starbucks next door is estimated for the end of the year.
Source: InMaricopaDowntown Mesa. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Ixnayonthetimmay · CC BY 3.0
Mesa City Council voted unanimously Sept. 15 to approve a development agreement with Vestar for Legacy Park and Gateway Crossing, about 200 acres east of Ellsworth Road between State Route 24 and Williams Field Road, just north of the Arizona Athletic Grounds, KTAR reports. Plans call for hotels, a public lake and park, shops, restaurants, offices and apartments. Construction is expected to begin in early 2028 with a first phase opening in October 2029. City officials project nearly $60 billion in economic output and more than 13,000 jobs over 30 years.
_-_8.05.jpg){kind=link}
