Happy Valentine’s day, I hope you have a sweetheart to spend some time with on this special occasion.

I almost missed it, but the Sun City Scoop is officially one year old!! The first newsletter was published on February 4, 2025!

It is hard to believe a year has passed already, I guess when you put your head down and send out the best newsletter you can each week, they roll by.

We’ll celebrate with a gift giveaway next week!! Thank you for being here and making the Sun City Scoop so much fun. 🙏

In this week’s Scoop:

~ The Super Bowl was great, but now that it is behind us, it means only one thing, baseball season!!

Cactus League Spring Training is officially underway across the Phoenix area, bringing Major League Baseball teams, players, and fans back to the Valley. Spring training is a great time to enjoy sunshine, affordable tickets, and up close baseball action right here at home.

Fox 10 News has put together a great guide for all of the Cactus League teams, so no matter who your team is, they have the details on how to see them this spring.

~ Sun City’s American Lutheran Church is hosting a free seminar on brain health, aging and dementia on Monday, February 23rd, with experts speaking on signs, prevention and how to support loved ones as memory changes occur. Read the full article about this event on YourValley.net

If you live in the Valley, you have almost certainly seen or heard them. Those small, bright green birds with peach-colored faces that travel in noisy flocks through palm trees and backyards are a familiar sight in many neighborhoods across Phoenix and the West Valley.

These colorful birds are not native to Arizona. Wildlife experts believe today’s flocks descend from pet lovebirds that escaped or were released several decades ago. Instead of disappearing, they adapted surprisingly well to the desert, finding food, water, and nesting spots in urban landscapes filled with palm trees, irrigated yards, and canals.

Originally from southwestern Africa, Peach-faced lovebird are well suited to hot, dry climates, which helps explain why they thrive here. You will usually see them in small, chatty flocks, especially in the mornings and evenings. Phoenix is now considered one of the only major U.S. cities with a stable population of wild lovebirds, making them a charming and unexpected part of daily life in the Valley of the Sun.

Keep an eye and an ear out. Once you notice them, you will start seeing them everywhere.

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

[Sun City] As part of the WINTER Ticketed Mini-Series, THE CHICAGO EXPERIENCE will be performing on Wednesday, February 11th, at 6pm at the Sundial Recreation Center. (link)

A Tribute to a Legendary Band with 23 gold albums, 5 number one albums, 21 top-ten singles, and 100+ million albums sold. Celebrate the music and majesty of the original “rock and roll band with horns”. Two vocalists blend seamlessly with amazing horn and rhythm sections to recreate the signature sound of these Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members featuring Saturday in the Park, If You Leave Me Now, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is, and many, many more. It’ll be an evening of the greatest hits from the greatest band of all time, Chicago.

[Sun City West] Are you new to Sun City West? Stop by the ‘Newcomers Open House‘ on Wednesday, February 11th, from 330-530pm at the Palm Ridge Rec Center to learn more about the community & meet with the various clubs & departments. This event is free.

[Sun City West] The Sun City West Automobile Restoration Club is putting the finishing touches on its 14th Annual Car Show, happening Valentine’s Day, February 14th, in the R.H. Johnson Rec Center parking lot. More than 400 classic cars will be on display, along with vendors, a swap meet, food, and tours of ARC’s impressive automotive shop. Admission and parking are free for spectators, and a limited number of spots are still available for those who want to enter a vehicle. (link)

[Sun City West] Be ready to catch Cupid’s arrow at the Rec Centers annual Valentine’s Day Dance from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at the Palm Ridge Rec Center. Doors for the event open at 5:30 p.m.

This upcoming dance will feature music from the band Sundown.

Tickets are $20 per person (eight per rec card for cabaret-style seating) and go on sale at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, at the R.H. Johnson Box Office and online at suncitywest.com/tickets.

[Sun City] Get ready to step back in time at the “Back To The 70’s” event on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Elizabeth Seton Church near 98th Avenue and Bell Road. Tickets are $25, must be purchased in advance at the office, and are limited, so plan ahead if you want to attend. (link)

[Sun City] The Sun City Elks Lodge is hosting a Valentine’s Day Dinner and Dance, on February 14th from 5-830pm, giving couples a fun and festive way to celebrate close to home. The evening includes a special dinner, music, and dancing, making it a perfect local option for a classic Valentine’s night out. Reservations are required and space is limited. See the full article on YourValley.net

[Downtown Glendale] The Chocolate Affaire returns to the Glendale Civic Center in Downtown Glendale! Join us on February 14th & 15th, 2026 from 10am-5pm each day. Indulge in all thing's chocolate, from decadent treats to artisan creations and mouth-watering chocolate-inspired dishes, this is the ultimate chocolate lover's paradise! (link)

[Peoria] Lazy Bird, at Park West, is hosting a Galentine’s Brunch on Saturday, February 14th, featuring florals, photos, music, and Valentine themed bottomless cocktails like mimosas, Bloody Marys, and micheladas. The first 40 guests who purchase bottomless brunch will receive a complimentary bouquet from the build your own bloom bar, plus enjoy a live DJ and themed photo booth for the perfect girls day out. (link)

[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] As part of the WINTER Ticketed Mini-Series, DOWN ON THE CORNER will be performing on Wednesday, February 18th, at 6pm at the Sundial Recreation Center. (link)

Settle in for a show that pays tribute to the pioneers of Southern Rock, Creedence Clearwater Revival. Professional entertainer Mike Yarema tells the stories and sings the songs of this iconic group. This long-running popular show, Down On The Corner, features several favorite hits: Born on the Bayou, Fortunate Son, Proud Mary, Who’ll Stop the Rain, Green River, and many more!

[Sun City West] Movie Night at the Stardust Theatre Join them for an evening showing of BLAZING SADDLES on Thursday, February 19th at 6pm, or a matinee showing of SPACEBALLS on Friday, February 20th at 1pm. (link)

[Sun City] The Sun City Concert Band will present A Sousa Portrait, a concert celebrating the timeless marches of John Philip Sousa. The performance highlights classic patriotic favorites and offers a nostalgic afternoon of music for local residents. Saturday, February 21st at 2pm, the Sundial Auditorium.

[Sun City] The Artists by the Lake 4th Annual Fine Art Show and Sale is being held on Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22, 2026, from9am-3pm at the Lakeview Center. Original artwork created by members of our club and items will be available for sale.

[Sun City] The Desert Aires and the Sun City Stomperz are teaming up for a special joint performance in Sun City, on February 22nd at 130pm at the Sundial Auditorium, bringing music and high energy dance together on one stage. The show promises a lively mix of harmonies and choreography and is sure to be a crowd pleaser for local audiences. (link)

[Sun City] Save the date for the upcoming Sun Bowl Spring Concert Series, which will be held each Sunday beginning March 8th.

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

Event details: March 13th and 14th, from 9am02pm 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!

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

How’s the market? Find out in our brand new sister publication, the Sun City Real Estate News.

This real estate newsletter will focus 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.

See the February Market Update here.

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